After chapel plan sinks, Sheeran floats idea of an ark in his back yard
ED SHEERAN has submitted plans to build a private place of retreat which “looks like Noah’s Ark” in the grounds of his East Suffolk estate.
The pop star, who earned £65,000 a day last year and is the richest solo artist in the world, wants to add a place of worship to his sprawling estate in Framlingham.
The move comes after he failed to get permission to build a chapel in the grounds last year and the new building “for contemplation and prayer” is considerably scaled down.
Plans for the building have been submitted to East Suffolk District Council by Sheeran’s father-in-law, Matthew Seaborn. It is understood a decision on the plans will be made next month.
It is set to be located north of Sheeran’s main house, Wynneys Hall, and close to the eastern boundary of the estate. The proposal states it would “address an important need for a private place of retreat for contemplation and prayer, for celebration of key life and family milestones”.
It said Sheeran has guests visiting from around the world, who have different faiths and customs and he wants to provide a space in which he, his family and these visitors can retreat to for “contemplation, prayer and relaxation, to meet celebrate and meditate in peace and safety from disturbance”.
The building is said to have been “carefully modelled with curved walls on plan and in elevation, which give it a sweeping, boat-shaped feel”.
The roof is leaf shaped and the plans say the design is “reflective of shapes and forms that are familiar to all, allowing each person to interpret its symbolism freely in their own way, which reflects the principle of it being multi use and non-denominational”.
The plans emphasise that the new building would not cause any negative impact on the area or neighbouring residents and would be designed to accommodate a small group of family and friends, comfortably seated.
The building would have a lobby, with a spiral staircase to a small gallery, and a main space for contemplation and activity to the east.
One neighbour, who does not want to be named, said: “I’ve seen the plans and the buildings look like Noah’s Ark. We keep wondering what he’s going to build next.”