Ed Sheeran slapped with raft of eco-friendly rules by council in bid to build rehearsal space near ‘Sheeranville’ estate
ED Sheeran has been dealt another blow in his ongoing struggle to build a rehearsal space near his mega estate “Sheeranville”.
The Shape of You singer faces painfully slow construction on his new rehearsal studio due to eco-rules.
Builders having to begin construction by hand because of the prescence of endangered newts.
And they will be given special “toolbox talks” on what to do if they come across the tiny 15cm critters.
Planning bosses say the tiny 15cm critters could be disturbed by his plans to knock down a historic but dilapidated barn and turn it into a personal rehearsal space.
Council chiefs said the measures were normal for any countryside development – and not “unreasonable”.
Ed’s builders will have to use hand tools instead of machinery, remove all debris by hand.
The popstar’s problems with amphibians date back as far as 2018 0 when protected great crested newts were found near his Suffolk estate.
Planning permission for the project was granted, but with a string of conditions to protect the species.
Sheeran bought the £1million farm in 20245 – which included a 19th century dilapidated piggery.
The brick and wood debris will also be entirely removed by hand to stop the newts from accessing it.
The ‘Great Crested Newt Method Statement’ filed with Mid-Suffolk District Council states: “The removal of any debris e.g. rubble, wood, will be undertaken by hand as far as possible, and with care, checking beneath all removed items for newts.
“Careful use of machinery will be necessary to lift large debris and to remove the existing concrete building base, with the area beneath checked for the presence of GCN as each section is lifted.”
The method statement also gives a time limit restricting project work to March, April and May when most newts will be in ponds away from construction.
Other eco measures Ed’s having to put in place include creating a “species rich, flowering lawn” with 19 different species of flowers.
Plus he’s got to plant 12 fruit trees, two bat boxes and a triple-house sparrow tower.
A spokesperson for Mid-Suffolk District Council told The Sun: “This is certainly NOT a case of any unreasonable ‘eco-friendly measures’ being demanded by our council – simply normal requirements that would be expected of any countryside developers.”
They explained there had been no conflict between Ed Sheeran and the council at any stage and that he had not complained about the restrictions.