Ellen DeGeneres' Cotswolds dream is dashed as council blocks plans for huge riding arena for her horse-loving wife Portia De Rossi

Published: 23:58, 9 August 2026 | Updated: 23:58, 9 August 2026 Ellen DeGeneres has seen her bid to build a huge riding arena at her £15million Cotswolds home dashed after the local council rejected her plans. The TV star, 68, had wanted to build an 'all weather' venue for her horse-loving wife Portia De Rossi, 53, as they look to cement their roots in the area after moving to Britain in November 2024. They had previously said: 'When we decided to live here full time, we knew that Portia couldn't live without her horses.' And, perhaps mindful of the torrential rain that left floodwater lapping at their doorstep last year, the couple had asked for permission to build a 22-metre by 39-metre arena on their land for use all year round. The couple would have been encouraged from being given the nod of approval for new stables earlier this year despite local opposition. But their latest move has been knocked back by planning officials at West Oxfordshire District Council, who say it would be too out of keeping with its idyllic surroundings and would bring 'unacceptable' development to the area. In a scathing decision notice issued by the council's Head of Planning, Chris Hargreaves, wrote: 'The proposed riding arena, by reason of its scale, siting and associated engineering operations, would constitute an intrusive and incongruous form of development within the open countryside and the Cotswolds National Landscape. Ellen DeGeneres has submitted plans to the council for an 'all weather' riding arena at her and wife Portia De Rossi's £15 million flood-hit Cotswolds farm Plans for the new stables have been knocked back by West Oxfordshire District Council (Pictured: the couple's £15million property) Planning documents published in March show the Ellen and Portia had ambitions to make the Cotswolds estate their 'long term home' if their bid for new stables is successful A map showing the siting of the new horse area on the 43-acre site in the Cotswolds An artist's drawing of the arena, which was submitted with the planning application 'The development would extend beyond the existing cluster of built form associated with the host dwelling, resulting in an unacceptable encroachment into the open and undeveloped Upper Windrush Valley. 'The development would not protect or enhance the local landscape, would fail to conserve the intrinsic character and scenic beauty of the National Landscape, and would have a harmful visual impact on valley views. 'The proposal would adversely affect the setting of the adjacent Asthall Conservation Area through its visual prominence, erosion of the traditional pattern of development and harmful impact on the area's rural setting.' Even sterner words to follow as it states that the proposal 'represents poor-quality design'. This is despite her planners, Fleming Architects Ltd, filing a 'Landscape & Visual Impact' report, which claimed the menage would be 'concealed by the farm buildings and existing vegetation'. The council's archaeology department had no objection after having concerns over the previous stables submission due to the effect on Roman remains. Its ecology team had a number of conditions, but also gave the green light, which made the refusal even more surprising. The TV presenter's team had to adhere to a strict Construction Ecological Management Plan and Biodiversity Net Gain assessment, plus install bird and bat boxes and controlled lighting.  An example of what the arena will look like, which was submitted with the planning application Portia is a known horse lover, and credits the animals with helping her through an eating disorder The proposed siting of the new arena, which would allow the horses to be kept away from land that has been plagued by flooding from the River Windrush, which runs through the site Pictured: Flooding at the couple's estate The TV presenter's team had to adhere to a strict Construction Ecological Management Plan and Biodiversity Net Gain assessment, plus install bird and bat boxes and controlled lighting.  Otherwise they were happy with the detailed plans. It's likely that Ellen will appeal this decision or it will put into jeopardy their decision to make this their home. After buying the property for £15million in 2024, the couple spent a reported £7.5million extra on external and internal renovations before they moved out less than a month later to find somewhere more suitable to indulge in Portia's passion for horses. It was listed for sale last July but failed to attract a buyer and has been plagued by flooding from the River Windrush, that ran through the 43-acre site. A sale was said to be 'close' after £4.5million was slashed off the £22million asking price and the house was taken off the market as a condition of sale. But despite the ongoing issues, Ellen and Portia looked set to stay after being granted permission to build stables, subject to a number of conditions. These included a stipulation that the stables must only be used by the occupiers of the main dwelling and not for a livery, riding school or any other commercial purposes.