Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright’s plans to build their dream home are reportedly at risk.
The TV couple want to demolish their new four bedroom Essex farmhouse – after buying it for £1.3million in October – but appear to have hit a stumbling block after an alleged row with the local council over the property’s foul sewage disposal.
Michelle, 32, and husband Mark, 33, submitted plans to knock down their new place and replace it with a sprawling Georgian-style mansion, but the council are also said to be concerned over fears the land is ‘contaminated’ from its previous use as a farm.
Stinky situation! Michelle Keegan, 32, and Mark Wright’s, 33, plans to build their dream home are reportedly at risk after an alleged council row over the property’s foul sewage disposal
According to The Sun, Michelle and Mark have failed to share any plans for getting rid of their toilet waste, with the local council concerned the plot might not have suitable drainage.
The publication reports that Epping Forest District Council’s environmental protection and drainage unit wrote a letter this week stating that the pair had to provide the land drainage condition.
It read: ‘The applicant has no proposal to dispose of foul sewage… the geology of the area is predominantly clay and infiltration drainage may not be suitable for the site.’
How it looks now: The TV couple want to demolish their new four bedroom Essex farmhouse nd replace it with a sprawling Georgian-style mansion – after buying it for £1.3million in October
Dream home: Michelle and Mark have reportedly failed to share any plans for getting rid of their toilet waste, with the council concerned the plot might not have suitable drainage
Oh dear: It appears they’ve also hit a stumbling block over fears the 4.1 acres land is ‘contaminated’ from its previous use as a farm
Another council letter from February stated fears that the property is contaminated: ‘These records have identified that the site has potentially contaminated land due to its use as a farm.’
It went on to say that the project can only go ahead with certain water controls ‘to ensure that the development can be carried out safely without unacceptable risks to workers, neighbours and other offsite receptors.’
MailOnline has contacted Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright’s representatives for comment.
Farm house: The property currently comprises of four bedrooms and three bathrooms
Re-build: The presenter and his wife want to replace the lounge and the rest of the house which is set in 0.75 acres of grounds on an exclusive road
The couple had been waiting to find out if they would get the go-ahead to demolish their new home bought through upmarket estate agent Savills.
In January, their planning agent said: ‘This new house has been carefully designed so that it is similar in area and volume to what is currently on the site.
‘The new house will sit further back on the site and will create a much more functional family dwelling for our clients.
‘The existing house has been extended several times and is not functional, therefore a new house would be a better use of the site.’
Not functional: Mark and Michelle say the existing property including the kitchen (pictured) isn’t functional for their family needs and want to build something that they have designed
Room to grow: The new property has a big garden (above) and would be perfect for raising a family if, as Mark suggested two years ago, the couple are soon going to be trying for a baby
The plans for their new place boast a ground floor bar, gym, TV room, study, outdoor swimming pool – and even a playroom after Mark said they are ready to start a family.
‘We say we’re going to try [for a baby] every year but something comes up with work,’ the presenter said.
‘So it’ll be Michelle filming in South Africa and then I got the job in Los Angeles – so we think, right, we’ll try next year.
Old design: If their plans are approved, the property will be demolished and replaced with a home comprising of a ground floor bar, gym, TV room, study and an outdoor pool
‘It’ll be around December or January, we’ll talk about it and we’ll go from there.
‘With kids, I used to want three or four. But now, I’m 31, we’re not having kids any time before 32.
‘I think we could have two or three. Twins would be great because you’re getting two out of the way at once!
‘Triplets would be even better! And if we have quadruplets we’d be laughing because we’d have them all in one go!’