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    Nineties pop legends forced to cancel car park comeback gig after failing to sell tickets

    ETERNAL’S big car park comeback gig has been scrapped after poor ticket sales.Fans have deserted the Nineties pop group following transphobic comments allegedly made by the band’s sisters Vernie and Easther Bennett.
    Eternal’s comeback gig has been scrapped after poor ticket sales – pictured Christel Lakhdar, Vernie Bennett, top, and Easther BennettCredit: w8media
    The band’s 1993 debut album Always & Forever sold millions around the worldCredit: Alamy
    The group, who reached No1 in 1997 with I Wanna Be the Only One, had been set to perform in a parking area at Birmingham’s NEC in May — with the event billed as their first major gig in a decade.
    But sources told The Sun it was canned as the band — whose debut album Always & Forever sold millions around the world — struggled to sell £50-plus tickets.
    Yesterday, the sisters revealed new group member Christel Lakhdar, after original bandmates Louise Redknapp and Kelle Bryan quit amid last year’s transphobia row.
    It was claimed by Louise’s publicist that Vernie and Easther had said the “gay community was being hijacked by the trans community and they do not support this”.
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    Louise, previously married to ex-Liverpool footballer Jamie Redknapp, left Eternal in 1995 – but her publicist has previously claimed they were set to reunite before the row broke out.
    The sisters will instead perform future gigs with Christel.
    Other events they have lined up include a ‘90s throwback event at a Butlin’s in Minehead, Somerset, in September.
    In 1997 they reached No1 in the singles chart with hit I Wanna Be the Only One, a duet with BeBe Winans.
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    The band’s management have been asked to comment.
    I was in a huge 90s girl band and sold 10m records but when we split I bagged my dream job – as a top lawyer
    Louise Redknapp left the group over a transphobia row last yearCredit: Getty More

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    Nineties girl group announce gig in car park after bandmates leave in huge row

    ETERNAL’s legacy has really gone down the pan after Louise Redknapp and Kelle Bryan quit the planned reunion.The band’s remaining members, Vernie and Easther Bennett, are now preparing to perform in a grotty car park.
    Eternal’s remaining members, Vernie and Easther Bennett, are preparing to perform in a grotty car parkCredit: PA
    Eternal, who had hits in the Nineties like I Wanna Be The Only One and Stay, are set to take to a pop up stage which is being put up when you park your motor when you’re going to the NEC in Birmingham in May.
    The show is being billed as their first major gig in a decade.
    An advert for the gig reads: “This event will be hosted on our North 5 car park and the whole festival site is on concrete so no muddy boots.”
    Incredibly the tickets cost upwards of £50.
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    While things were looking bright for an Eternal comeback, that all went out of the window last year when the foursome clashed in a row over trans rights.
    It was claimed that sisters Vernie and Easther said “the gay community was being hijacked by the trans community and they do not support this.”
    It led to Louise and Kelle, who are staunch supporters of the LGBTQ+ community, walking away from the planned comeback.
    Vernie and Easther are now back in the studio with the band’s original manager, Denis Ingoldsby, and are hoping to follow in Taylor Swift’s footsteps and re-record their hits.
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    He hit out at the story last September when it was revealed why Louise and Kelle had pulled out of the reunion.
    Denis said at the time: “Louise and her team have thrown them under the bus and everyone is totally appalled at their bullying behaviour by totally misrepresenting the situation to suit their own agenda,” he said.
    Louise Redknapp breaks silence on Eternal feud and new boyfriend as she joins bandmate Kelle Bryan on Loose Women
    “The girls sent an email to Louise’s camp saying they loved playing Pride, and they loved the ethos of the event.
    “For her camp to go on the record suggesting they are homophobic is utterly outrageous. This is nothing about gay rights.
    “The girls have played numerous LGBTQI venues their entire careers and have been inspired by the love and acceptance they have received.
    “This is about the debate about the trans lobby and the erosion of the rights of women and children.
    “Vernie said she had some concerns about the Pride movement being hijacked – and she is not alone – but this has now been weaponised against her, with Louise’s team trying to get her cancelled.”
    But in response, Louise’s publicist Simon Jones insisted: “Denis Ingoldsby was not involved in the discussions about the Eternal reunion including all four members over the last two years.
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    “Easther and Vernie can try and dress this up however they wish.
    “The fact remains that the duo said they would only do the Eternal reunion if no Pride or LGBTQ+ festivals were included.” More

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    Harry Potter star Emma Watson breaks long social media silence to comment after £30,000 Audi is towed away

    HARRY Potter star Emma Watson has broken her social media silence after her £30,000 Audi was towed away. The actress, who rose to fame as a child in the much-loved wizarding film franchise, found herself in hot water this week when she illegally parked her motor.
    Emma Watson has broken her social media silenceCredit: Getty
    Watson’s car got towed away after it was illegally parked this week
    Watson made light of the situation on FridayCredit: EmmaWatson/X
    Watson, 33, had left the blue Audi outside a pub in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, for “three-and-a-half-hours” on Tuesday while she spent the evening in the establishment with pals.
    She had not bought a pay-and-display ticket before pulling up outside the Rose and Crown with her mum Jacqueline.
    A witness also claimed Watson had ignored a huge “no parking” sign and ended up blocking to a car park.
    She has stayed off social media this week following the scandal which resulted in her car being towed away.
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    But on Friday, Watson tweeted making light of the situation.
    She broke her silence and said: “Still searching for parking in Stratford-upon-Avon.
    Emma was pretty upset that her car was being towed away, she came running over shouting, ‘hey, that’s my car’, and was arguing with the truck driver, but he was having none of it.Witness
    “Merchant of Venice very good if you can still get tickets.”
    Watson’s parking meant the manager of a pizza restaurant across the street saw his own car “trapped” by the actress’.
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    The Red Hot Mamma pizzeria boss told MailOnline: “Three and a half hours of searching for the driver was the last thing I needed after working a 12-hour shift. 
    “The car had parked in front of our gate which is a no-parking zone.”

    After a frantic dash around nearby restaurants and bars, the manager resorted to calling the cops.
    “But when the police started to tow her car away, she came flying out of the pub shouting, ‘That’s my car, that’s my car’,” he added.
    She was snapped wearing a long black trench coat, black turtle neck jumper and beret, while begging officers and the tow truck employee to leave her car alone.
    But no amount of bargaining worked, and the Harry Potter star would have to pay £192 to get her Audi S3 back – with a further £26 charge for every day it sat at the car pound.
    A witness told Sun Online: “Emma was pretty upset that her car was being towed away, she came running over shouting, ‘hey, that’s my car’, and was arguing with the truck driver, but he was having none of it.
    “He told her the car was being impounded, signed some paperwork to give her and hauled the car away.
    “Emma was with her mum who watched the whole thing in the street.
    Warwickshire Police confirmed: “A report of a blue Audi S3 parked across a driveway and blocking in two cars on High Street near the junction with Sheep Street in Stratford.
    “The report was made at 9.42pm and the car was impounded and taken away at 10.21pm.
    “No crime was recorded.”
    The actress is best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films.
    Watson went on to star in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring and This Is the End.
    More recently the 33-year-old featured in Little Women and Beauty and the Beast.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    After taking a step back from the acting world, Watson has since been studying for an MA in Creative Writing at Oxford University.
    She has also focused on her gin brand, Renais, which she created with her brother Alex Watson. More

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    Harry Potter star Emma Watson left fuming after her £30,000 Audi is towed away by cops as she enjoys night out at pub

    HARRY Potter star Emma Watson was left fuming after her £30,000 Audi was towed away during a quick pint with pals.The actress, 33, bargained with tow truck drivers as they hauled her illegally parked blue motor onto a flatbed in Stratford upon Avon yesterday.
    The £30,000 car was parked illegally
    Emma Watson was spotted bargaining with officers to keep her car from being towed
    The actress’ blue Audi S3 blocked in another car for three-and-a-half-hours
    She had not paid and displayed on the leafy market street before nipping into nearby boozer, the Rose and Crown, with her mum Jacqueline.
    A witness also said Watson had blocked the entrance to a car park down the side of a letting agent, ignoring a large “no parking” sign on the gate.
    Emma was pretty upset that her car was being towed away, she came running over shouting, ‘hey, that’s my car’, and was arguing with the truck driver, but he was having none of it.”Eyewitness
    It meant the manager of a pizza restaurant across the street saw his own car “trapped” by the actress’ for nearly four hours.
    The Red Hot Mamma pizzeria boss told MailOnline: “Three and a half hours of searching for the driver was the last thing I needed after working a 12-hour shift. 

    “The car had parked in front of our gate which is a no-parking zone.”
    After a frantic dash around nearby restaurants and bars, the manager resorted to calling the cops.
    “But when the police started to tow her car away, she came flying out of the pub shouting, ‘That’s my car, that’s my car’,” he added.
    The Harry Potter star is best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the franchiseCredit: Alamy
    Watson was seen driving the same Audi weeks earlier with a damaged front wing mirrorCredit: Getty
    She was snapped wearing a long black trench coat, black turtle neck jumper and beret, while begging officers and the tow truck employee to leave her car alone.
    Most read in Showbiz
    But no amount of bargaining worked, and the Harry Potter star would have to pay £192 to get her Audi S3 back – with a further £26 charge for every day it sat at the car pound.
    A witness told Sun Online: “Emma was pretty upset that her car was being towed away, she came running over shouting, ‘hey, that’s my car’, and was arguing with the truck driver, but he was having none of it.
    “He told her the car was being impounded, signed some paperwork to give her and hauled the car away.
    “Emma was with her mum who watched the whole thing in the street.
    Warwickshire Police confirmed: “A report of a blue Audi S3 parked across a driveway and blocking in two cars on High Street near the junction with Sheep Street in Stratford.
    “The report was made at 9.42pm and the car was impounded and taken away at 10.21pm.
    “No crime was recorded.”
    It comes just weeks after Watson was seen driving the same Audi with a damaged front wing mirror, held together with duct tape.
    The actress is best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films.
    Watson went on to star in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring and This Is the End.
    More recently the 33-year-old featured in Little Women and Beauty and the Beast.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES

    After taking a step back from the acting world, Watson has since been studying for an MA in Creative Writing at Oxfordd University.
    She has also focused on her gin brand, Renais, which she created with her brother Alex Watson.
    Eyewitnesses claimed Emma came ‘flying’ out of the pub shouting ‘that’s my car’
    The actress famously starred alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint in Harry PotterCredit: Alamy More

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    Tommy Fury looks furious as his £180k G Wagon gets a £60 parking ticket after he leaves it on a double yellow line

    TOMMY Fury looked furious as he was slapped with a £60 parking ticket on his £180k G Wagon car.The boxer, 24, was not impressed to find the bright yellow ticket on his windscreen after he parked on a double yellow line.
    Credit: Zenpix
    Credit: Zenpix
    Tommy was seen returning to her flashy Mercedes Benz after visiting a jewellers in Wilmslow on Monday.
    But it seems Tommy had parked her car in the wrong place for just a bit too long as he was issued with a parking ticket.
    His assistant was seen removing the ticket from the windscreen of his 4X4 motor.
    Tommy cut a casual figure in a white hooded jacket and a blue t-shirt.
    READ MORE ON TOMMY FURY
    This isn’t the first time that Tommy has been handed a parking fine.
    Back in November, the boxer was seen partying in Abu Dhabi with Chris Brown, while his fiance Molly-Mae Hague, 24, stayed in Cheshire.
    At the time, sources said Tommy’s car was collecting parking tickets after being parked at a train station.
    The Sun previously told how Molly was left furious after videos emerged of Tommy partying at the end of last year.
    Most read in Celebrity
    A source said: “Molly has made no secret of the fact she doesn’t like it when Tommy parties too hard.
    “This weekend has ended up being a real embarrassment to her. She was mortified when she kept getting tagged in videos while she was just trying to enjoy a festive weekend with Bambi.
    “She has told Tommy it really has to stop now he’s a dad and has told him to ditch some of his pals, who she thinks are a bad influence.
    “There are certain people he always goes too far with and it would be easier for everyone if they were out of his life.”
    The couple – who met on Love Island in 2019 and got engaged over the summer – had sparked split fears at the time.
    But they have since squashed any rumours after enjoying a family holiday together in Dubai.
    The Sun previously told how Molly was left furious of videos of Tommy partyingCredit: InstaGram More

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    Cancer-stricken Only Fools and Horses star reveals he’s been slapped with £2,800 bill for parking at McDonald’s

    A CANCER-stricken Only Fools and Horses star has revealed he’s been slapped with a whopping £2,800 bill for parking at McDonald’s. Funnyman Patrick Murray, who plays Mickey Pearce in the cult BBC comedy, said he was hit with the ticket after picking up his dinner.
    Only Fools and Horses star Patrick Murray, who played Mickey Pearce, has revealed his current parking ticket battleCredit: BBC
    It comes at a time when the star is battling cancer – againCredit: Oliver Dixon
    Part of the much-loved cast including – Patrick Murray, right, pictured with Sid – Roy Heather; Trig – Roger Lloyd Pack; Boycie – John Challis; Denzil – Patrick Barber; Marlene – Sue HoldernessCredit: BBC
    The massive fine comes at an already tough time for the star, who revealed his cancer had returned last year.
    Patrick, 66, previously told how he’d beaten lung cancer, but shared the heartbreaking news it had returned last April.
    Now, he’s being forced to cough up £2,800 for a five-year-old ticket – and says he feels for others who might get hit with similar bills amid the cost-of-living crisis.
    The 66-year-old explained the initial ticket was less than £100, but had grown massively over the years.
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    Patrick said he was fined after parking in a disabled spot – which he claims a member of staff told him to do while waiting for his food.
    The 66-year-old explained the situation on Twitter/X, writing: “Five years ago I received a private parking ticket for parking on a disabled spot at McDonald’s.
    “I went back and saw the manager complaining that I was asked by the server to park up there to await my food.
    “The initial ticket was less than £100. Now I am getting countless letters from a company demanding I pay £2,800 in or face having my personal goods removed.
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    “There was no court order to say I owed this debt.
    “Suddenly getting a demand for £3000 could be devastating for many people. Who knows some may have been driven to suicide with worry.”
    The cost-of-living crisis has been plaguing Brits for months, with the masses hanging out for any extra payments they can get their hands on.
    However, it was today revealed the UK economy returned to growth and performed better than expected.
    A healthy economy is one where GDP is growing but if it stalls or is falling, it’s bad news for businesses and consumers.
    It’s understood McDonald’s is not aware of the case.
    However, customers with any concerns should get in touch with their Customer Services Team.
    Last year the Only Fools and Horses star said how cancer has now spread to his pelvis and legs.
    He said: “Despite all the wonderful efforts by the medical and nursing teams at Medway, Guys, and Kings College hospitals, the lung cancer has returned.
    “I thought I had a painful groin strain a couple of months ago, unfortunately that turned out to be the cancer getting into my pelvis and leg bones. It has also entered my lymphatic system.
    “What about the good news? I had radiology treatment last week and my oncologist is fairly confident this will stop the leg pain, and I will be up and about again.
    “Another positive is my consultant. He is confident that the chemo will keep things in check for months and even years.”
    In January last year Patrick revealed he’d had half of his liver removed after doctors discovered a second cancer in 2022.
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    Speaking to The Sun at the time, Patrick said he was “over the moon” to be cancer-free.
    Doctors discovered a tumour in his lung in July 2021.
    How to fight a parking fine
    Up to 50,000 drivers are slapped with parking fines every day in the UK, raking in more than £2.6billion a year for car park operators and councils.
    Consumer rights campaigner Scott Dixon says you should always appeal if you get a ticket from either a private parking operator or the council.
    Two in five penalty notices are scrapped after being appealed, figures show.
    But before you can appeal, you need to work out what type of charge you have received.
    Parking charge notices are issued by private parking operators such as National Car Parks, Euro Car Parks, Apcoa Parking and Parkingeye.
    Penalty charge notices and excess charge notices are issued by the council. Fixed penalty notices come from the police.
    When it comes to private companies, it can be a different story.
    First you should check if the firm is a member of the British Parking Association (BPA) or International Parking Community (IPC).
    If they’re not, Citizens Advice recommends that you don’t contact them unless they write to you first.
    Often these firms don’t have access to your records from the DVLA and won’t be able to find you.
    But if they do write to you, you should reply.
    Companies must send notices within 14 days of when you were parked on the private land, if a notice wasn’t left on your windscreen.
    First, complain through the company that issued the ticket — many have a formal process.
    You can get contact details for members of the BPA at britishparking.co.uk and the IPC at theipc.info.
    Gather evidence to show why you think the ticket was unfair such as photographs of unclear signs and road markings or a bank statement to show a charge has been paid.
    If the complaint is rejected, your next step is to appeal.
    Appeals should be made to Parking On Private Land Appeals if the operator is a BPA member.
    You have 28 days after the rejection of the initial complaint to appeal to Popla.
    If they are an IPC member, appeal to the Independent Appeals Service — you have 21 days to do so.
    And if your appeal is rejected, Scott suggests appealing again.
    “You’re virtually always rejected at the first stage on private parking tickets. But on the second stage, Popla finds two in five tickets unfair and cancels them.”
    Appealing a penalty charge notice issued by the local council for parking without a permit is relatively straightforward.
    Again, include evidence to back up your case and submit it to the relevant council through its complaint process.
    If you are unsuccessful, you can challenge the decision at a free independent tribunal.
    You can appeal online at the trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk. Or if you’re in London, go through londontribunals.gov.uk.
    If you want to object to a police notice, you will need to send your letter to the Central Ticket Office nearest to where the charge was issued. More

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    Lee Mack takes to the stage for a hilarious comedy about British suburbia

    BRITS have a unique way of getting ourselves caught in uncomfortable situations because we’re too polite to say ‘no’. That’s the central theme of writer Steven Moffat’s theatrical comedy, Unfriend, starring Lee Mack.
    The audience was left in rapturous laughter by Mack, playing Dad Peter, and Sarah Alexander, his wife Debbie
    An average suburban family, plagued by a ‘boring’ neighbour ranting about boundary walls, recycling and car parking spaces, see their lives upended by the arrival of a visitor.
    The audience was left in rapturous laughter by Mack, playing Dad Peter, and Sarah Alexander, as his wife Debbie.
    The two bounce off each other with quick wit and charm as they battle to cope with their house guest, a bombacious American – Elsa Jean Krakowski, from Denver – played by the impeccable Frances Barber.
    Cleverly contrasting classically American directness, with Brits’ desperation to please, the family goes through a reckoning when it turns out their new visitor has a hidden dark past.
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    Add to this a teenage son and daughter, who each bring their own dramas – the daughter’s desperate need to be included in adult discussions (even sitting at the top of the stairs to listen in), and a son who won’t leave his room – and you have a play that perfectly encapsulates modern family living.
    Yet their visitor’s arrival, which comes after Peter and Debbie fail to tell her she’s no longer welcome when they discover her history through a Google search, bizarrely marks a remarkable improvement in the family’s life.
    By the end of the play the kids adore her, love their parents, and the four are finally able to spend time together in one room.
    But Elsa’s eventual departure comes with a shocking thud back to reality – as her dark past catches up with her.
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    Unfriend’s genius comes in its ability to convey the average British experience – with audience members gasping and chuckling as they recognised their own thoughts and feelings in each of the characters.
    It deals in our obsession with tea and wine, sandwiches and neighbourhood rows.
    And offers a comically dark insight into what can happen when we fail to stand our ground.
    Unfriend
    ★★★★★
    Cleverly contrasting classically American directness, with Brits’ desperation to please, the family goes through a reckoning when it turns out their new visitor has a hidden dark past
    Bombacious American – Elsa Jean Krakowski, from Denver – is played by the impeccable Frances Barber (centre) More

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    Seaside locals fume over Cate Blanchett’s plans to turn field into car park

    LOCALS in a picturesque seaside town have been left fuming over Cate Blanchett’s plans to turn a field into a car park.The Hollywood actor reignited a row over building plans for her controversial holiday home in Mawgan Porth, near Newquay, Cornwall.
    Cate Blanchett is embroiled in a planning row over a property in CornwallCredit: Getty
    Locals are fuming that celebrities are buying up second homes and undertaking building workCredit: Wayne Perry
    Disgruntled locals are not happy that the Australian actress is in the process of building a modern “eco-home” for her family.
    The 54-year-old has been building a sprawling three-storey bedroom property in the coastal village for months.
    Land Registry records show that Blanchett bought the former cottage for £1.6million in 2020, and then shelled out £1.25million a year later for the adjoining field.
    But her latest plans to develop the neighbouring field into a new driveway and parking area for the home have sparked fresh controversy,
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    The Hollywood star and her playwright husband Andrew Upton have been accused of a “blatant land grab” with people saying they snapped up the second plot purely to stop another home shooting up next to theirs.
    Residents have also accused her of causing huge disruption with heavy construction traffic, earth-moving diggers and noisy hammer drills during its construction.
    Mawgan Porth has been dubbed “Hollywood-on-sea” due to the influx of celebrities looking at or having bought properties there post-pandemic.
    Aquaman’s Jason Momoa, action film star Jason Statham and actor Stanley Tucci are just some of the A-List celebrities reported to have properties in the village.
    Most read in Celebrity
    But locals who reside there all year round say it is changing at an alarming rate thanks to changes made by those such as Mrs Blanchett.
    They say wealthy residents buying the properties as second homes that they only stay in for a few weeks of the year has eroded the sense of community in the village.
    Neighbours had already accused the Lord of the Rings star of damaging a sensitive coastal wildlife habitat by demolishing a former cottage to make way for a much larger eco-home.
    Speaking to the Daily Mail, former military medic turned dog walker Emma Keelan, 45, told how she had lived in Mawgan Porth for almost 20 years.
    She said: “It’s unbelievable how all these celebrities and wealthy people behave. How much is enough? They’ve bought the houses for crazy amounts of money but they just want more and more. If they get permission for this what next?
    “Normal people already can’t afford to live here any more, look how it is in the winter, it’s a ghost town.”
    Another resident who has lived in Mawgan Porth for 18 years but didn’t want to be named said: “The whole situation with that road is a mess.
    “It’s the lorries coming up and down, it’s a never-ending building site.”
    They said Blanchett has been active in the community and described her family as “really sound people” but still described the area as a “non-stop building site”.
    “But how much more do you need?” they said.
    “She got permission for what she got but now wants more.”
    This references Blanchett’s latest application to Cornwall Council for a “change of use” of the field.
    Blanchett plans to use a permeable green grasscrete surface to blend in with the landscape with a turning head, retaining stone wall and native planting.
    An ecological survey found the maritime grassland site to be a suitable habitat for a variety of wildlife species including slow worms.
    As part of mitigation measures, there will be bat boxes for roosting and reptile refuges using logs for winter hibernation.
    Part of the field will be used for ground source heat pumps to power the whole house.
    In a statement, her planning agent said: “The proposed re-development of [the house] and its replacement was driven by the desire to make a more efficient use of this unique site, and to provide a sustainable dwelling that can be enjoyed by the applicant’s multi-generational family.
    “The applicants purchased the field site separately and subsequent to the purchase of [the house] specifically to ensure that the land was not developed with housing that could potentially encroach upon the amenities of their new home, which is sat within a comparatively constrained plot area when compared with others in the area.
    “The driveway and parking area has been designed sensitively to minimise visual impact from surrounding vistas, helping the wider field to remain as a key landscape feature with every attempt made to blend the access seamlessly into the landscape.
    “Within the wider landscape, the proposed access and parking area would not have a significant landscape impact and would not result in an unacceptable change in character of the land.”
    Officials are expected to make a decision on the latest plans for her Cornish bolthole later this month on January 24.
    Blanchett also owns a £5million country estate near East Sussex, where she also bought up land next door – a £1.5million farmhouse with 100 acres.
    Read more on The Sun
    A representative for Blanchett told The Sun: “Our clients purchased the land to preserve the environment and protect it from over development. 
    “They are merely reinstating a pre-existing accessway.” More