Ed Sheeran has been granted permission to build a burial chamber on his estate.
Ed Sheeran's burial chamber was approved by the local council
The 31-year-old singer had previously been given the green light to construct a church in his garden at his mansion in Suffolk, England, in 2019, and now he's been given the go-ahead by the local council to have the 9ft by 6ft crypt built under the knave of the church and accessed via a stone slab.
However, one neighbour is opposed to the plans.
Anna Woods told The Sun: "The area is well served by local churches and I feel there is no need for a well-known person to create his own island of calm when lovely places of worship abound in the area.
"I also note there will be a burial chamber in the building."
The plans read: "Burial zone beneath (penetration through slab)."
'Shape of You' hitmaker Ed - who has 18-month-old daughter Lyra with wife Cherry Seaborn - previously had plans to build a chapel within the boundaries of his Suffolk home rejected.
But he made a new application for a smaller, boat-shaped space, where he could "retreat for contemplation, prayer and relaxation" in 2019, and they were accepted.
Prior to getting the green light, documents submitted to the local council explained the building would be built on the eastern side of the estate because "the rising of the sun is relevant both in the Abrahamic and oriental traditions".
A design statement submitted by architectural firm Donald Insall Associates 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.
"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 application also contained reassurance that Ed wasn't looking to overshadow the nearby Church of St. Mary as the "novel and modern" design would have a "sweeping boat-shaped feel", a leaf-shaped roof and a "cone" rather than a spire, though it would have a lead roof and stained glass windows.
The statement 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."
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