A-list star infuriates neighbours by turning coastal village into ‘Hollywood-on-Sea’ as locals say they’re ‘forced out’
RESIDENTS say their picturesque coastal village has been “ruined” and turned into a “building site” by A-list celebrities.
Mawgan Porth, dubbed “Hollywood-on-Sea”, in Cornwall features a series of multi-million pound developments that have attracted the rich and famous.
At the heart of the cliff-top scene is a five-bed eco-home being built by Cate Blanchett.
The Hollywood actress got planning permission to knock down the £1.6million cottage she bought with her playwright husband Andrew Upton.
She has since been followed by action movie actor Jason Statham, as well as actress Imogen Stubbs and Fifty Shades of Grey actor Jamie Dornan.
While Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Hollywood actor and foodie Stanley Tucci are also reported to have bought properties there.
But locals in what was once called “Cornwall’s best kept secret” – that lies between Padstow and Newquay – fear they are being priced out of the area.
One local said her mum has even had people walk by her house and offer £2million for their family home – even though it is not for sale.
The NHS worker, who moved to the area in 1987, revealed developers were buying old properties and then flattening them to build “cube-shaped homes”.
She said: “You can’t buy a property here for under one million. Not one local can afford to buy anything here.
“All the houses have been bought up by second homeowners. In the winter all the houses are all pretty much empty.
“They do bring money to the village, but at the same time local people can’t live here.”
Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings actress Blanchett previously upset neighbours with the noise of construction.
Latest pictures show her house renovations still ongoing.
The actress had also bought a neighbouring plot of land and applied for permission to turn it into a new access and parking area for four cars.
The proposal was met with anger by locals in the Cornish village who feared it was being transformed into a “Hollywood-on-sea” location.
The couple were also accused in official objections of a “total disregard” during construction – with claims it has “destroyed holidays”.
The change of use application for the field was withdrawn last year and new plans are yet to be submitted.
Among those objecting at the time was holiday let owner Karen Burgess.
She accused the celebrity couple of having a “total disregard” for their neighbours during the lengthy build process.
Ms Burgess said: “I am deeply concerned that there has already been a total disregard for the noise that has destroyed the family holidays of all my guests.”
Hitting back at Ms Burgess’s objections, architects Watershedd claimed it was a case of mistaken identity.
They added: “Throughout the whole process of the build on our clients’ property, we have been in regular communication with friendly and accommodating neighbours to ensure that they are aware of works starting, and to alleviate any concerns regarding usual or anticipated construction noise or disturbances.”
The Sun has approached Mrs Blanchett’s representative for comment.