The owners of George Michael’s former country home where he died are stepping up security in a bid to keep away ghoulish fans.
A local family bought the £3.4million pad in Oxfordshire last year ago following the star’s death at the 16th Century property on Christmas Day, 2016.
And now the owners, who describe site security ‘a serious issue’, want to put the shutters up to stop it becoming a constant shrine to the Careless Whisper singer.
They have applied to the local council for planning permission to carry out a number of alterations and extensions including demolition of an existing day room and sauna.
The owners of George Michael’s former country home in Oxfordshire (pictured)where he died in 2016 have applied for permission to boost security in a bid to keep away ghoulish fans
The family who bought the pad (pictured) last year say it still attracts a lot of interest from fans
George Michael’s (pictured) house sold for £3.4million – three years after the Wham! star died there at Christmas but has since been bought by another Oxfordshire family last year
In papers filed at South Oxfordshire Council, their planning agent says: ‘The present owners purchased the property last year and wish to undertake a number of modifications to suit the needs of their large family.
‘The house still commands an interest from members of the public as one of the previous owners, a musician, enjoyed a considerable public following.
‘Site security is also a serious issue and the new owners wish to improve the site entrance and egress into the house and undertake a number of improvements.
‘The applicant wishes to undertake alterations and extensions to the existing property to improve the entrance, improve security and make the house more suitable for their large family, with four young children.’
Existing floor plans reveal that the former Wham! singer had a sauna extension before he died but the new owners, a Mr and Mrs Tyrell, want to convert it into a new study and office.
They also want to extend the kitchen and garage, and demolish historic potting sheds.
The property’s main entrance features a double gate which can be opened from inside
Fans have been known to leave flowers and candles outside the side entrance to the home (pictured in 2018) which is accessible via a small access track which runs down the side
They need planning permission because the property is Grade II listed and lies in a designated conservation area.
Four years ago, George’s housekeeper was probed by his family’s lawyers over claims she let ghoulish fans tour his home.
Devoted fans had previously been leaving floral tributes outside the pad but his family pleaded with them to stop.
Following the house sale, lawyer John Reid, who acts on behalf of the singer’s estate and family, said: ‘It was a place that he loved, not least for the privacy that it afforded him.
‘We would therefore kindly ask that the new owners have their privacy respected and are able to enjoy the property as he did.’
George, 53, was found dead in his bedroom by partner Fadi Fawaz on Christmas Day in 2016.
Pictured: George Michael welcomed US TV icon Oprah Winfrey to the home in 2004
A coroner ruled in March 2017 George died of natural causes – dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver.Â
The bulk of his estate and £97.6million was left to his sisters Melanie and Yioda, with smaller chunks going to his father Kyriacos and his close friends and former staff.Â
The family’s decision to sell the singer’s former home divided fans with a change.org petition urging them to turn the house into a museum got 2,500 signatures.
George described the house to US TV icon Oprah Winfrey in 2004 as he took showed her around it.
Related Post
He said: ‘This is a 16th-century house that I bought about three years ago and did up myself.’
He told her of the exposed beams: ‘Of course it’s really low ceiling because people were so short in those days.
George Michael told Oprah he did the house up himself and wanted to preserve the beams
‘This is about as English and historical as you can get. We kept all the original beams. This fire place… is the original fireplace.’
Planners are expected to make a decision on the proposed development in October and there have so far been no objections from neighbours but some concerns.
Other famous residents who live in the area include former Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman and baking queen Mary Berry.
