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Jools Holland puts up garden wall at historic home near Cooling Castle without planning permission

Jools Holland has applied for planning permission after putting up a huge turreted wall in his garden.

Castle-like battlements and raised flowerbeds resembling a Union Jack were built recently at the music icon’s grand home next to Cooling Castle.

They even include a medieval-style room set into the wall, called a parvis, with oak leaded windows where visitors can head for quiet reflection.

Jools Holland
Jools Holland

But the ambitious structures, next to the TV icon’s swimming pool, did not have planning permission.

It is believed those behind the plan did not think they would need consent, but council officers then said otherwise.

The boogie-woogie pianist, 55, has now applied for retrospective planning permission for the stone structures.

Plans lodged with Medway Council said: “The new wall and planters create a cohesive and attractive garden area viewable from the main house and the adjacent swimming pool and annexe.

The turreted wall and raised beds in the garden of Jools Holland's Cooling Castle home
The turreted wall and raised beds in the garden of Jools Holland's Cooling Castle home

“Care has been taken to maintain the high standard of construction and detailing used elsewhere.

“The wall itself has been constructed to match identically those already around the swimming pool, using natural local stone laid in lime mortar.”

Mr Holland is a well-known figure in the village, using its church for his 2005 wedding to long-term girlfriend Christabel McEwen.

Stars including Ringo Starr, Mick Hucknall, Lulu, Dawn French and Stephen Fry descended on Cooling for the grand occasion.

No neighbours have objected to the plans. Mr Holland’s planning agent, architect Julian Bluck, declined to comment.

Born in Blackheath, London, Mr Holland grew up playing in dock workers’ pubs in the East End before forming the 1980s hit band Squeeze. He is a deputy lieutenant of Kent.

A Medway Council spokesman said: "The works that were carried out were undertaken by the owner on the assumption that planning permission was not required.

"He was subsequently advised that this was not correct and submitted a planning application"

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