George and Amal Clooney granted permission to install CCTV around Berkshire home

  • George and Amal Clooney applied for permission to install CCTV cameras at their home
  • They bought the Grade-II listed mansion in a Berkshire village last October 
  • Although parish council objected, permission for CCTV has now been granted
  • Already had application for new swimming pool and cinema approved

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George Clooney and his wife Amal have won permission to erect eight tall poles with CCTV cameras around their £10million Berkshire mansion despite objections from unhappy neighbours.

The initial application sparked controversy among residents of the Thameside village, who feared the cameras would violate their privacy but George’s luxurious riverside home will now be fitted with an extensive CCTV system after planners gave the development the green light earlier this month.

The Ocean’s Eleven star and his barrister wife bought the nine-bedroom mansion shortly after marrying last year and have already had permission to begin work on a new swimming pool, pool house and home cinema along with new boundary fencing.

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Success: George Clooney and his wife Amal have won permission to erect eight tall poles with CCTV cameras around their £10million Berkshire mansion despite objections from unhappy neighbours

Success: George Clooney and his wife Amal have won permission to erect eight tall poles with CCTV cameras around their £10million Berkshire mansion despite objections from unhappy neighbours

George, 54, and wife Amal, 37, are set to move into the 17th-century Mill House later this year once renovations are complete. 

The Grade II listed Aberlash House will be fitted with 10 cameras, and surrounded by eight wooden 18ft poles fitted with further security cameras.

Each camera will be housed in a protective vandal-resistant dome and could be tilted or panned to face in any direction, allowing Clooney and his barrister wife, Amal, to keep watch all around their property.

The scheme was met with heavy criticism from residents and the local parish council.

Preparing to move in: George, 54, and wife Amal, 37, are set to move into the 17th-century Mill House later this year once renovations are complete

Preparing to move in: George, 54, and wife Amal, 37, are set to move into the 17th-century Mill House later this year once renovations are complete

Eye and Dunsden Parish Council objected to the plans, claiming that the wide range of cameras would represent a ‘potential infringement of the privacy of neighbouring properties.’

It said the poles would be a ‘visual intrusion’ into the village’s conservation area, adding: ‘A more appropriate security system could be achieved by a greater number of inward-facing low-level cameras.’

The couple’s planning agent, Paul Butt, submitted an amended application on July 13 this year which planned to reduce the height of the two tallest CCTV support posts.

Planning bosses rubber-stamped the amended plans, saying they ‘would not be detrimental to the special architectural and historic interest of the listed building or its setting.’

The council’s decision notice, dated Monday, August 3, added that the work must be carried out within three years of the date of consent.

The nine-bedroom listed building sits on a four acre stretch of land straddling the Berkshire and Oxfordshire border in the picturesque quietude of the River Thames.

Extensive renovation work is currently taking place on the couple’s £10million Georgian mansion, where scaffolding is erected while builders fix the roof.

While they cannot extend their Grade II-listed manor house, the couple were recently granted planning permission to do major extension work to the neighbouring annexe, which currently houses a boathouse and greenhouse.

The stunning property currently houses a gym and steam room, a library, study, family room, formal dining room and cellar and a boat house.

The annexe development will add a state-of-the-art 12-seater cinema for private home screenings to part of the greenhouse.

Palatial: The actor and his barrister wife bought the nine-bedroom £10million mansion shortly after marrying last year and have already had permission to begin work on a new swimming pool and pool house

Palatial: The actor and his barrister wife bought the nine-bedroom £10million mansion shortly after marrying last year and have already had permission to begin work on a new swimming pool and pool house

A new pool house, pergola and hot tub will be built onto the back of the existing riverside boat house, allowing George and his new wife Amal to luxuriate by the estuaries of the River Thames.

The oak pergola will sit before an 18m swimming pool, surrounded in reclaimed York stone, surrounded by sun loungers and a bubbling jacuzzi.

New boundary fencing is being added around the riverside estate and new solid gates fitted for added privacy and security.

Clooney and his wife bought their mansion last October after tying the knot in a star-studded ceremony in Venice. The couple moved out at Christmas while repairs were done to the listed property and they awaited the decisions on their planning applications.

Enjoying local life despite the drama: The couple have been spotted dining at the village public house, The Bull Inn and going to see a show at the neighbouring Mill at Sonning riverside theatre

Enjoying local life despite the drama: The couple have been spotted dining at the village public house, The Bull Inn and going to see a show at the neighbouring Mill at Sonning riverside theatre

Set in four acres on the outskirts of the beautiful quaint village of Sonning, Berks., the Clooneys’ neighbours include Home Secretary Theresa May, Israeli illusionist Uri Geller and Led Zeplin founder Jimmy Page. 

According to The Sun on Sunday, the Ocean’s Eleven star has reportedly hired the designers behind private members’ club chain Soho House to transform his UK home.

A source told the tabloid: ‘George is a regular at Soho House over in West Hollywood and loves the relaxed vibe and design of it so wanted to replicate a bit of that at his British home.

‘Both George and Amal have had a lot of input into the plans but the Soho House guys have worked their magic.’ 

The couple have been spotted dining at the village public house, The Bull Inn and going to see a show at the neighbouring Mill at Sonning riverside theatre.

Mr and Mrs Clooney: George and Amal tied the knot last year in an Italian extravaganza which lasted a number of days 

Mr and Mrs Clooney: George and Amal tied the knot last year in an Italian extravaganza which lasted a number of days 

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