Cate Blanchett ‘forced to change demolition plans’ after discovering a BAT COLONY

Inside Cate Blanchett’s multimillion-dollar renovation nightmare: Actress ‘forced to change demolition plans after discovering a BAT COLONY inside her property’

Cate Blanchett has reportedly been forced to modify plans to renovate her new $6.25million English mansion after meeting her co-tenants – a colony of bats. 

The 51-year-old Oscar winner and her husband Andrew Upton, 54, splashed out on the dilapidated East Sussex mansion Highwell House in 2016, and are now in the thick of a multimillion-dollar refurbishment. 

As reported by The Sunday Telegraph, Cate recently lodged a proposal to demolish a dilapidated cottage and shed on her property to make room for a state-of-the-art office and studio. 

Making room for the locals! Cate Blanchett, 51, has reportedly been forced to modify plans to renovate her new $6.25million English mansion after meeting her co-tenants – a colony of bats

However, the plans had to be changed to allow for a bat colony that live inside one of the buildings.

According to the publication, documents lodged with the local council state: ‘Emergence and return-to-roost surveys, alongside DNA analysis of droppings, have confirmed the presence of a common pipistrelle bat summer roost and a potential occasional brown longeared bat feeding roost.’ 

These particular bats are considered a protected species, and therefore Cate will need a licence from Natural England to demolish the buildings. 

Grand plans: As reported by The Sunday Telegraph , Cate recently lodged a proposal to demolish a dilapidated cottage and shed on her property to make room for a state-of-the-art office and studio

Grand plans: As reported by The Sunday Telegraph , Cate recently lodged a proposal to demolish a dilapidated cottage and shed on her property to make room for a state-of-the-art office and studio 

Previously known as Potters Manor or Steep Park, Cate’s Victorian manor was once a squalid drug den frequented by criminal, pagans and drifters.   

It was originally built in 1890, but began to fall into disrepair in the early 2000s before finally being extensively refurbished in 2015.  

Many locals even believed the home to be haunted, with some claiming to have photographed ghosts inside its walls.  

English charm: Cate and husband Andrew Upton, 54, (left) splashed a cool $6.25million on their lavish English manor named Highwell House in 2016

English charm: Cate and husband Andrew Upton, 54, (left) splashed a cool $6.25million on their lavish English manor named Highwell House in 2016  

Hello neighbour! According to the publication, documents lodged with the local council state: 'Emergence and return-to-roost surveys, alongside DNA analysis of droppings, have confirmed the presence of a common pipistrelle bat (pictured) summer roost and a potential occasional brown longeared bat feeding roost'

Hello neighbour! According to the publication, documents lodged with the local council state: ‘Emergence and return-to-roost surveys, alongside DNA analysis of droppings, have confirmed the presence of a common pipistrelle bat (pictured) summer roost and a potential occasional brown longeared bat feeding roost’ 

In 2015, The Sun named the manor Britain’s 13th most creepiest abandoned house.  

Before Cate and her family moved in, the mansion was owned by a wealthy couple named Mr and Mrs Walford. 

Mr Walford died in 2001, while his wife moved into an aged care two years later – leaving the property abandoned for a decade before it was refurbished and placed on the market. 

‘We’re just pleased the place is occupied now for years it was derelict and we were getting all sorts of people up there, druggies,’ a local told The Daily Telegraph when asked how they feel about Cate and her family moving into Highwell House.  

‘They were burglars that were taking their loot there and splitting it up at one stage in the old barn,’ they said.       

Spooky: In 2015, The Sun named the manor Britain¿s 13th most creepiest abandoned house

Spooky: In 2015, The Sun named the manor Britain’s 13th most creepiest abandoned house