Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are pushing for council approval to construct an all-weather riding arena at their £22 million Cotswolds estate, enabling year-round horse training despite persistent flooding issues.
Property Background and Flood Challenges
The couple purchased the 43-acre property for £15 million in 2024 and invested an additional £7.5 million in renovations. However, they vacated the home after less than a month, seeking a better fit for Portia’s horse passion. The estate, traversed by the River Windrush, suffered repeated flooding, which deterred buyers when listed for sale last July.
Recent planning documents outline their goal to establish the site as a long-term residence, provided approvals succeed.
New Planning Applications
Portia de Rossi’s enthusiasm for horses drives two key proposals under review by West Oxfordshire District Council: new stables and an all-weather arena positioned outside the flood zone.
Representatives explain that the horses currently occupy temporary quarters in an existing barn garage while awaiting stables approval. The arena addresses winter limitations, as surrounding flat areas flood during wet periods from the adjacent River Windrush.
The surrounding land offers summer exercise spots, but winter options are restricted. Alternatives include off-site transport or an on-site facility. The selected spot sits next to the proposed stables behind the property, integrating with the undulating terrain and existing structures.
The site, used for grazing or farming, requires no additional agricultural storage. The stables application replaces a modern farm building with a design harmonious to the countryside character.
Design and Flood Mitigation Details
Submitted flood photos from April 2023 illustrate unsuitable conditions in lower fields. The arena location avoids flood risks, leverages existing landforms for minimal excavation, and reuses all displaced soil on-site to prevent road transport.
Representatives urge prompt permission, noting no nearby neighbors or residential impacts. Storage solutions for manure are identified, aligning fully with development policies.
Archaeological Concerns
The stables site raises issues due to proximity to Roman artifacts, including a bridge, road, villa, and bathhouse. West Oxfordshire District Council’s archaeological team reports:
Historic maps and aerial photos indicate no prior development, suggesting possible surviving Roman remains. Approval should require an archaeological watching brief during construction, with an archaeologist present for all groundworks.
Nearby findspots include Mesolithic-Neolithic flints, a Roman quern, and a mid-3rd century coin, plus crop-marked enclosures and trackways.
Long-Term Vision
A design statement confirms the couple’s renovation success and desire for permanence. Ellen DeGeneres previously emphasized:
When we decided to live here full time, we knew that Portia couldn’t live without her horses. We needed a home that had a horse facility and pastures for them.
Both applications await determination by West Oxfordshire District Council.
