Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint finally settles for a £5.4 million eco-village for two years

HARRY Potter star Rupert Grint has won a two-year battle with his neighbors to turn a £5.4million estate in Hertfordshire into his very own Hogsmeade.

The actor, who played Ron Weasley in the hit film franchise, caused a stir over plans for a 15-resident eco-village. houses in its historic former parsonage from the 18th century.

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He wants to convert the main building into six luxury apartments and demolish a huge barn and greenhouse measuring 30 x 13 meters to make way for five detached houses.

More than a dozen local residents objected to the proposed plan, saying it was an inappropriate development on greenfield land and a conservation area.

They also cited the loss of trees, an increase in traffic and fears of wildlife including badgers, bats, birdssquirrels and muntjac deer.

Grint, 36, was also accused of offering a ‘cynical’ sweetener by offering neighbors and the local parish council free land for larger gardens and a public open space.

But planners at the council have now finally given the development the green light after the actor also promised to build four affordable homes.

They said: “The development would result in damage to the visual openness of the green belt due to the introduction of development into parts of the site that are not currently present.

“However, the damage identified is considered to be limited and therefore compliant, given the contribution to affordable housing proposals as part of the development.

“Significant weight is given to the provision of four affordable homes as part of the scheme.”

Grint was just 11 when he was cast as Ron Weasley in the Potter films and now has a fortune of £42 million and a huge property portfolio.

He bought the property in 2009 but is said to have never actually lived there and tried to sell it for £6 million in 2018.

It features an indoor recreation suite with a swimming swimming pooljacuzzi, bar, two cinemas, gym, games room and wine shop.

The extensive 22 hectare estate also includes two cottages, a staff flat, an outdoor swimming pool, floodlit tennis courtstwo walled gardens and meadows.

It was described by estate agents as an “elegant 18th century house in need of renovation, in a peaceful parkland setting”.

The main house, also known as The Lodge, will now be converted into five two-bed apartments and one three-bed apartment.

The five new-build homes include a five-bed home, two four-bed homes and two two-bed homes, three of which are built around a lake.

There will also be four new two-bedroom terraced houses with a new entrance, woodland paths, flower meadow, orchard meadow and natural pond.

The homes will be powered by ground source heat pumps and solar panels with green roofs and rainwater collection.

In his report, the planning officer said: “The development proposes carbon neutral homes and various other sustainable homes functions that go beyond what would normally be expected as part of a development of this type.

“The development would therefore limit its impact on long-term climate change. This environmental benefit is given a moderate weight.”

Grint will have to pay almost £100,000 to the local authority schoolslibrary and youth services, including an annual £10,000 for the maintenance of the donated land.

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