Ed Sheeran has finished work on his own private chapel, complete with its own burial chamber in the grounds of his sprawling home in East Suffolk.
Works on the religious building, which has a flint-walled structure, started more than 19-months-ago, but the scaffolding and plastic sheeting has now been removed making it fully visible to villagers for the first time.
Planning documents describe the boat-shaped building, that also has an impressive 25ft round tower as being a place where the Shape of You singer and his loved ones can ‘retreat for contemplation, prayer and relaxation.’
The 65ft long chapel, complete with a spiral staircase, has been set up on the edge of the singer’s estate – dubbed ‘Sheeranville’ by locals – close to his hometown of Framlingham, Suffolk.
Sheeran, 32, who lives with his wife Cherry and their two children initially had plans to build a larger chapel but this was rejected by council planners.
Ed Sheeran has finished work on his own private chapel, complete with its own burial chamber in the grounds of his sprawling home near Framlingham Suffolk
Sheeran, 32, who lives with his wife Cherry and their two children initially had plans to build a larger chapel but this was rejected by council planners
Some neighbours objected to the building, stating that there were already enough churches in the area to serve residents.
But the singer who was said to be worth £300 million in this year’s Sunday Times Rich List made a new application in 2019 for a smaller space which won approval from East Suffolk Council.
Last January the singer, who is currently touring in America, was given permission to add a 9ft by 6ft burial crypt – big enough to fit two bodies under a slab on the floor.
His plans to place a 7ft tower lightning rod above the chapel’s tower to safely dissipate the 300million volt electrical charge was also approved.
Planning documents explained it would be built on the eastern side of the singer’s estate because ‘the rising of the sun is relevant both in the Abrahamic and oriental traditions’.
It stressed that Sheeran’s church was not looking to overshadow his local village’s nearby medieval Church of England church.
A design statement read: ‘It would address an important need for a private place of retreat for contemplation and prayer, for celebration of key life and family milestones, family and social gatherings, marriages, christenings, and so forth.
Works on the religious building, which has a flint-walled structure, started more than 19-months-ago, but the scaffolding and plastic sheeting has now been removed
The Shape of You singer was said to be worth £300 million in this year’s Sunday Times Rich List
The Shape of You singer is currently on tour in America
‘It would also allow the applicant’s family, friends and colleagues to be able enjoy these things and join them in their observance.
‘The proposed building would be a space truly ancillary to the main house, but apart from it in order to provide calm and separation.
‘The applicant has […] guests and visiting colleagues at [his home], people from around the world.
‘Many of these people are from many countries, faiths and customs, including for example the USA, Ireland, Ghana, Nigeria, Asia and Australia.
‘Thus, the applicant seeks to provide a space in which, he, his family and these different people can retreat for contemplation, prayer and relaxation, to meet celebrate and meditate in peace and safety from disturbance, when they visit.’
The building will have a nave downstairs with eight pews of seats, a spiral staircase to a small gallery, and a main space for activity, as well as a lead roof, flint walls and stained glass windows.
The application added: ‘Its 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.
‘It does not seek to follow or ape a previous building typology, but is an evolved form of the Suffolk vernacular, having echoes of round towers, mills, wind pumps and so forth.’
Local councillors say Sheeran will need a licence if he wants to hold marriages in the chapel, but that would involve opening to the public for three years.
Sheeran famously bought up five neighbouring properties to create his rural retreat.
He is believed to have spent £3million on extensive renovations, including building his own pub, tree house, underground music room and tunnels.
Sheeran has also added a wildlife pond, an outdoor kitchen and a football pitch, a walled kitchen garden, an orchard, a mini paddock for chickens, goats and sheep and an entertainment area with a hot tub and fire pit.
The singer has been involved in several disputes over his rights and his neighbours’ rights to develop their respective property.
A neighbour won a battle against the superstar in 2020 after Sheeran objected to his plans to extend his back garden.
But the neighbour who lives three houses along from the pop star’s estate, was given permission to make his back garden 160 feet bigger, using part of a field that he owned at the rear.
Sheeran said he did not want the space to be domesticated and claimed it would ‘extend the village into the countryside in an unplanned and artificial way’, despite his own much-publicised building projects.
Although the council objected to the neighbour’s proposal initially many neighbours wrote in to support him and his plans were eventually approved.
Sheeran also had to fight to be able to keep the 16ft pub sign he had hung outside his barn converted into a drinking den.
Although he was given planning permission for the pub in 2017, he did not have permission for the sign which caused locals to question why it was there.
Sheeran was also told he could not swim in his wildlife pond under the condition that it was used to provide a natural habitat for frogs, newts and dragonflies.
The council visited his property and specifically forbade ‘recreational leisure such as swimming. He was also forced to remove his outside sauna, in a caravan next to the pond, after neighbours complained.
Sheeran bought his first home in the site, a new build, for around £900,000 back in 2012.
