James Corden gets approval to demolish £8m Henley home

The comedian's country house has fallen into disrepair

Sam Moore
Updated ·2-min read
LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 18: The Late Late Show with James Corden airing Wednesday, January 18, 2023, with guests Angela Bassett, Brian Tyree Henry, and Julia Wolf. (Photo by Terence Patrick/CBS via Getty Images)
The Late Late Show with James Corden. (CBS via Getty Images)

James Corden is set to knock down his Oxfordshire country estate and build another right on top of it.

The comedian and TV host has spent much of the last decade living in the US due to his role as presenter of The Late Late Show but Corden is set for a permanent return to the UK later this year.

As a result of his time in the US, the £8million Henley-on-Thames property has fallen into disrepair and as a result, Corden has been granted permission to demolish the property and build another on the land.

Read more: James Corden tells Drew Barrymore why he's quitting The Late Late Show

The works — which will also include tearing down a pool house — will create a two storey pad alongside a subterranean basement with a plant room and storage.

View of existing dwelling with pool house and tennis court behind by taken without permission from Wokingham Borough Council public reports pack TRIANGLE NEWS 0208 629 3622 // news@trianglenews.co.uk By Iwan Stone With pix JAMES Corden is set to demolish his abandoned country pile - and build a brand new one as he prepares to return to the UK. The star’s £8 million property near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire - which includes a Grade II listed Druid’s Temple - had fallen into disrepair after standing empty for two years while he hosted the Late Late Show in the US. But the TV personality has been awarded planning permission to demolish the existing property and erect a new building. *TRIANGLE NEWS DOES NOT CLAIM ANY COPYRIGHT OR LICENSE IN THE ATTACHED MATERIAL. ANY DOWNLOADING FEES CHARGED BY TRIANGLE NEWS ARE FOR OF OR CONNECTED IN ANY WAY WITH USER'S PUBLICATION OF THE MATERIAL* TRIANGLE NEWS SERVICES ONLY, AND DO NOT, NOR ARE THEY INTENDED TO, CONVEY TO THE USER ANY COPYRIGHT OR LICENSE IN THE MATERIAL. BY PUBLISHING THIS MATERIAL , THE USER EXPRESSLY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND TO HOLD TRIANGLE NEWS HARMLESS FROM ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OR CONNECTED IN ANY WAY WITH USER'S PUBLICATION OF THE MATERIAL*
View of existing dwelling with pool house and tennis court (Triangle)

The property currently features the Grade II listed Druid's Temple which cannot be knocked down.

While the house will be 18% larger than the current one, Corden was forced to scale down many of his plans for his new home.

The Gavin & Stacey star originally wanted a large pool house with two pools, a yoga studio and massage room but those plans had to be abandoned to get planning permission.

The new property will also feature a walled garden for growing fruit and vegetables.

Existing height (pink) vrs proposed height taken without permission from Wokingham Borough Council public reports pack TRIANGLE NEWS 0208 629 3622 // news@trianglenews.co.uk By Iwan Stone With pix JAMES Corden is set to demolish his abandoned country pile - and build a brand new one as he prepares to return to the UK. The star’s £8 million property near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire - which includes a Grade II listed Druid’s Temple - had fallen into disrepair after standing empty for two years while he hosted the Late Late Show in the US. But the TV personality has been awarded planning permission to demolish the existing property and erect a new building. *TRIANGLE NEWS DOES NOT CLAIM ANY COPYRIGHT OR LICENSE IN THE ATTACHED MATERIAL. ANY DOWNLOADING FEES CHARGED BY TRIANGLE NEWS ARE FOR OF OR CONNECTED IN ANY WAY WITH USER'S PUBLICATION OF THE MATERIAL* TRIANGLE NEWS SERVICES ONLY, AND DO NOT, NOR ARE THEY INTENDED TO, CONVEY TO THE USER ANY COPYRIGHT OR LICENSE IN THE MATERIAL. BY PUBLISHING THIS MATERIAL , THE USER EXPRESSLY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND TO HOLD TRIANGLE NEWS HARMLESS FROM ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OR CONNECTED IN ANY WAY WITH USER'S PUBLICATION OF THE MATERIAL*
Existing height (pink) of Corden's property vs proposed height of the rebuild. (Triangle News)

Wokingham Borough Council said: “The principle of the development is supported as a replacement dwelling is not inappropriate development in the Green Belt, subject to consideration of openness.

"Revisions to the scheme have resolved initial objections from Historic England and the Council’s Conservation Officer. There is an outstanding objection from the Gardens Trust and the Council’s Trees and Landscape Officer."

Druids temple taken without permission from Wokingham Borough Council public reports pack TRIANGLE NEWS 0208 629 3622 // news@trianglenews.co.uk By Iwan Stone With pix JAMES Corden is set to demolish his abandoned country pile - and build a brand new one as he prepares to return to the UK. The star’s £8 million property near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire - which includes a Grade II listed Druid’s Temple - had fallen into disrepair after standing empty for two years while he hosted the Late Late Show in the US. But the TV personality has been awarded planning permission to demolish the existing property and erect a new building. *TRIANGLE NEWS DOES NOT CLAIM ANY COPYRIGHT OR LICENSE IN THE ATTACHED MATERIAL. ANY DOWNLOADING FEES CHARGED BY TRIANGLE NEWS ARE FOR OF OR CONNECTED IN ANY WAY WITH USER'S PUBLICATION OF THE MATERIAL* TRIANGLE NEWS SERVICES ONLY, AND DO NOT, NOR ARE THEY INTENDED TO, CONVEY TO THE USER ANY COPYRIGHT OR LICENSE IN THE MATERIAL. BY PUBLISHING THIS MATERIAL , THE USER EXPRESSLY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND TO HOLD TRIANGLE NEWS HARMLESS FROM ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OR CONNECTED IN ANY WAY WITH USER'S PUBLICATION OF THE MATERIAL*
The druids temple on Corden's property. (Triangle News)

They added: “No resident objections have been received and the proposal is recommended for approval, subject to conditions relating to ecology and landscaping conditions.

"Following discussions with the applicant’s agent in relation to unresolved tree impacts, the application no longer includes a pool house, outdoor swimming pool or a refuse store at the main entrance to the site.”

Corden is also required to not restrict views from the Druid's Temple.

With reporting by Triangle News

Watch below: James Corden decided to quit his show to spend more time with his family

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