And finally… JK Rowling jumps into £2m equestrian centre plans
Acclaimed author JK Rowling has been given permission to build a £2 million equestrian centre at her family home in Edinburgh.
The author of the “Harry Potter” book series and her husband Neil Murray were given planning permission by the City of Edinburgh Council last month to erect stables and two buildings for staff to live in at their lavish home in the capital.
The 51-year-old writer’s husband is listed as the director of the build, according an application by horsing company Blagdon Equestrian Limited.
“The farmland is mixed grazing, arable and there is a group of farm buildings and dwellings. The applicant acquired the farm in 2012 by which time the property had fallen into a state of disrepair,” the design plans state.
“All the buildings had suffered from lack of maintenance and field fences and walls were broken down. Woodland areas were badly overgrown and dangerous, field drainage had failed and outbreaks of Japanese Knotweed were discovered. The new owners embarked on a programme of improvements designed to secure a viable future for the farm.”