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Mr Bean star's 'space-age' design goes on display

10:20am Tuesday 20th July 2010 in


TO Rowan Atkinson, it is a beacon of contemporary architecture.

To disgruntled neighbours, it is a “space-age petrol station”.

Now members of the public can make up their own minds about the Blackadder star’s dream home, after a scale model went on display at South Oxfordshire District Council’s offices in Crowmarsh Gifford.

Opinion has been divided since the comedian submitted a planning application for a new glass and bright-white steel home near Ipsden, earlier this month.

Ipsden Parish Council, the Chilterns Conservation Board and local residents say it should not be built in the South Oxfordshire countryside.

Farmer Ben Yates, 45, who lives nearby, said it looked like an “ugly space-age petrol station”.

Comments(25)

Blue Pedro says...
11:34am Tue 20 Jul 10

He's having a laugh insn't he? This is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it looks like an office block. Money should not mean you can get away with this. It should be refused. He'll no doubt appeal but I hope an Inquiry will show how out of tune this is with its surroundings.

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Quentin Walker says...
11:43am Tue 20 Jul 10

Well, he IS a comedian...

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Dilligaf2008 says...
11:49am Tue 20 Jul 10

We are in the 21st Century people, this looks to me like a very eco-friendly house.
I think it's rather aesthetically pleasing, and certainly appears as though it would take up lest space than a huge brick mansion.
Britain has some excellent architects and engineers, but they're all working overseas because the people of Britain are always of the opinion "not in my back yard".
If we want to protect this planet for future generations, people really need to pull their head's out of the sand and accept change.
I'd be happy to have a property like this constructed anywhere, area of outstanding natural beauty or otherwise, given time this building will blend in to the landscape, I say good luck Rowan hope you get permission

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Wallingford2 says...
1:15pm Tue 20 Jul 10

Living nearby to where it's going to be built I would have no objections at all...way better than a lot of monstrosities that get put up these days, infact it looks like someone who knows what they're doing has designed it, unlike some that seem to get put up by back-handers and funny handshakes.

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Tom Daily says...
1:17pm Tue 20 Jul 10

Revolting !!!

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digdog says...
2:11pm Tue 20 Jul 10

Quentin Walker wrote:
Well, he IS a comedian...
That's debatable.

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Phian says...
2:25pm Tue 20 Jul 10

If nothing had ever been built different to that which was already there, where would we be living now ?
Art Deco was not at all like existing architecture at the time and, no doubt, there was opposition to the style but it is now valued.
Change is not always good but often worth a try. How much will this building be on view to neighbours and passers by ? I understand Mr Atkinson likes his privacy (remember the furore regarding his gates).

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Volterra says...
2:39pm Tue 20 Jul 10

I'm sure I've seen exactly the same house on a previous episode of 'Grand Designs' haha. Not to my taste personally; it does look a bit showy and I don't like the totally flat roof. Looks a bit like a Miami drug baron's gaff to be honest. However, I wouldn't be hugely against it (as I don't live in the area).

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hagar1 says...
4:42pm Tue 20 Jul 10

Why oh why can't we embrace top quality architecture and design in this country? Look around you, we are stuck in the past - even 'new' estates are full of architecture from bygone ages (mock tudor beams, leaded windows, bricked up windows etc). Surely it is time we removed ourselves from the past and moved into the 21st century?

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Diddy OX says...
4:49pm Tue 20 Jul 10

I like it its modern fresh and its obviously eco-friendly most people I expect living near it won't be around if and when its built?.

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rowdy says...
5:14pm Tue 20 Jul 10

Got to be better than the ugly house its replacing ........!!!!!!!!!!!!

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rossettio says...
5:21pm Tue 20 Jul 10

I agree with all hagar21's remarks.

This is a beautiful design and worthy of a situation in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Wherever there is architectural innovation there is some prejudice..but no-one who resides in these areas objects with the same debate to the terrible monotonous design of council estates...because they have a different opinion about the folk who live in them and don't care.
If we put more effort into social housing and affordable homes, it would not take huge amounts of cash... just forward thinking, we would inject some pride and less prejudice into this environment.
Go for it Mr Atkinson.
PS I don't find him very funny either.

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OxfordResident says...
5:54pm Tue 20 Jul 10

It's an innovative, modern design. Let's not get stuck in the 19th century like Prince Charles.
Plus, who is actually going to be able to see it anyway?

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Captain Birdseye says...
5:57pm Tue 20 Jul 10

To disgruntled neighbours, it is a “space-age petrol station”. ....................

Actually a Petrol Station is just what Ipsden could do with.

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Dilligaf2008 says...
7:03pm Tue 20 Jul 10

Captain Birdseye wrote:
To disgruntled neighbours, it is a “space-age petrol station”. ....................


Actually a Petrol Station is just what Ipsden could do with.
I think the disgruntled neighbour was a farmer, I'd rather see this house than a semi derelict barn with piles of c**p covered with a tarpaulin and old tyres.

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Berty says...
7:51pm Tue 20 Jul 10

It's very, um, white.

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Captain Birdseye says...
7:53pm Tue 20 Jul 10

Dilligaf2008 wrote:
Captain Birdseye wrote: To disgruntled neighbours, it is a “space-age petrol station”. .................... Actually a Petrol Station is just what Ipsden could do with.
I think the disgruntled neighbour was a farmer, I'd rather see this house than a semi derelict barn with piles of c**p covered with a tarpaulin and old tyres.
Oi can't read, an Oi can't rite, but Oi can droive a trac'or.

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rossettio says...
8:11am Wed 21 Jul 10

I can read and write but I can't drive a tractor.

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Dilligaf2008 says...
9:30am Wed 21 Jul 10

Captain Birdseye wrote:
Dilligaf2008 wrote:
Captain Birdseye wrote: To disgruntled neighbours, it is a “space-age petrol station”. .................... Actually a Petrol Station is just what Ipsden could do with.
I think the disgruntled neighbour was a farmer, I'd rather see this house than a semi derelict barn with piles of c**p covered with a tarpaulin and old tyres.
Oi can't read, an Oi can't rite, but Oi can droive a trac'or.
I like your touch, we think along the same lines :)

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LadyPenelope says...
11:17am Wed 21 Jul 10

I think it's a stunning and innovative piece of architecture, and if I lived nearby I would have no objections to having something like that in my view.

Perhaps it's more a jealousy thing with those objecting?

"Different" is not necessarily bad! We can't spend the rest of our lives copying old houses, just to "blend in". Designs need to be developed and improved, including houses!

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Wallingford2 says...
12:26pm Wed 21 Jul 10

OM's Poll also suggests double the amount of people are in favour of it than the NIMBY's...which is nice.

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yummymummy10 says...
11:30pm Wed 21 Jul 10

I dont like it and I am jealous... reason being I love it and want one for myself!!! :D

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Dilligaf2008 says...
11:56pm Wed 21 Jul 10

Am I to believe that I'm his only fan?
Shame on you, have you never heard "The Father of the Bride" sketch, it's serious roflmao material.
And "Black Adder", nobody else found those series amusing, I'm gob-smacked.

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Captain Birdseye says...
4:45pm Thu 22 Jul 10

Dilligaf2008 wrote:
Am I to believe that I'm his only fan? Shame on you, have you never heard "The Father of the Bride" sketch, it's serious roflmao material. And "Black Adder", nobody else found those series amusing, I'm gob-smacked.
You need to find "Not The Nine" that was funny as, Him walking into the lamp-post, and in the second version missing it then weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Classic.

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yummymummy10 says...
1:26am Fri 23 Jul 10

Dilligaf2008 wrote:
Am I to believe that I'm his only fan? Shame on you, have you never heard "The Father of the Bride" sketch, it's serious roflmao material. And "Black Adder", nobody else found those series amusing, I'm gob-smacked.
I just cant get enough of Mr.Bean :) Loved it when i was younger and still love it now lol

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