Ellen DeGeneres set to stay at flood-hit £22million Cotswolds farm after winning planning battle with neighbours over new stables

By WILL HALLOWELL, NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:11, 8 June 2026 | Updated: 01:13, 8 June 2026 Ellen DeGeneres looks set to stay 'long-term' at her flood-hit Cotswold-home - after winning a planning battle for new stables. The American former talk show host and her partner Portia De Rossi have been given the green light for the stables for their horses - despite fears the work could 'destroy' Roman remains.  The couple had been locked in a battle over the development at Kitesbridge Farm near Burford that they bought for £15million in 2024 and they had ambitions to make it their 'long term home' if their bid was successful. The couple had already spent a reported £7.5million extra on external and internal renovations before they moved out less than a month later to find somewhere more suitable to indulge in Portia's passion for horses. It was listed for sale last July but failed to attract a buyer and has been plagued by flooding from the River Windrush, that ran through the 43 acre site. A sale was said to be 'close' after £4.5million was slashed off the £22million asking price and the house was taken off the market as a condition of sale. But despite the ongoing issues, Ellen and Portia now look set to stay after West Oxfordshire District Council granted them planning permission - subject to a number of conditions. These included a stipulation that the stables must only be used by the occupiers of the main dwelling and not for a livery, riding school or any other commercial purposes. Ellen and her partner Portia De Rossi bought the property in the Cotswolds for £15million in 2024 and spent a reported £7.5million on external and internal renovations The local council's archaeological department had voiced concerns that the project could 'destroy' Roman ruins North of the home is a Roman bridge while a protected Roman villa and bath house is also near the proposed site (Pictured: Flooding at Ellen and Portia's property) There had also been concern raised that the site was in an area of archaeological interest and potential Roman remains. Documents showed it was close to a Roman bridge, a Roman road, and a Roman villa and associated bathhouse. The application was granted on the basis that no development can start without an appointed archaeologist being present and further investigation is carried out. In a design and access statement to support their application to West Oxfordshire District Council, their representatives revealed the couple's long term ambitions for the home. They said: 'The applicants carried out a successful renovation of the house last year and wish to make this their long term home. 'One of their passions is horses and although the building group is large, there is no provision for horses or for their training and bringing up.  'This application seeks to address this in as sensitive a way as possible.' And in approving the application, planning official Sarah Weaver wrote: 'Due to the location of the proposed stables, within the cluster of the existing buildings, the traditional design of the stables and the removal of the existing modern agricultural building, it is not considered that the proposal will have a materially harmful impact on the Cotswold National Landscape. Planning documents published in March revealed the couple had ambitions to make the Cotswolds estate their 'long term home' if their bid for new stables is successful Drawings show it is of vernacular design, to be built in stone with a pitched tile roof and has been designed to appear as a natural complement to the group of buildings 'The design of the proposal scheme is of a traditional stable building which reflects the design of the existing buildings within the site.  'Traditional features such as an arch entrance, fenestration detailing and window placement form part of the external design.' Another condition was made around a detailed surface water drainage scheme being approved in writing to not add to flooding issues in the area. Referencing the Roman remains, Ms Weaver wrote: 'Historic maps and aerial photographs suggest that the area of the proposed stable building has not seen previous development as part of the farm, and so, it is possible that Roman remains survive on the site. 'The applicant has submitted a written scheme of investigation from John Moore Heritage Services.  'This scheme is acceptable and a condition requiring that it is undertaken will need to be attached to any planning permission.' The council's archaeological team told the couple they would be responsible for organising and implementing an archaeological watching brief, to be maintained during the period of construction and during any groundworks taking place on the site. Ellen has previously spoken about the need for a home with a horse facility and said in a previous statement: 'When we decided to live here full time, we knew that Portia couldn't live without her horses. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are seen at an event in San Francisco, California, in March 2022 'We needed a home that had a horse facility and pastures for them.' The planning application described the couple as 'horse owners' who do require stabling for their horses. The proposed building would provide space for two loose boxes and the storage of all associated equestrian paraphernalia within a single building. Drawings showed it is of vernacular design, to be built in stone with a pitched tile roof and has been designed to appear as a natural complement to the group of buildings. The application added: 'There are no nearby neighbours and thus no impact on residential amenity that would result from the provision of stabling.' The application reveals options were explored which considered the larger American barn style, or a group of smaller byre ranges forming a U shape. It added: 'Both are traditional per se, but the American barn was felt to be too large and might easily dominate the pleasing building cluster to the west; a U shaper byre range conversely not providing the cover and practicality required. 'Hence, the "in-between" option is proposed, a traditional stone building, single range, built in the local vernacular, so as to blend in to the existing building group.' Ellen's representatives said the building had been carefully sited to align centrally with the granary barn to the north and byre range to the south to 'create a pleasing viewpoint on approach.' The statement added: 'The building largely designs itself: sufficiently wide to provide stabling and cross-ties, and tack room at one end and feed/storage at the other. 'A first-floor level is provided, accessed by tallet steps. This is really the resulting space from the design of the building, and would be used as a hayloft or for storage, but is not central to this application. 'Overall, when comparing the existing shed against the proposed stable building, it is likely the traditionally designed stone building would sit better in the landscape, and appear to belong more coherently to the adjacent building group.' The second application for an 'all weather riding arena' at the site is still under consideration by the council. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. 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