Paul O’Grady’s widower has slashed the price of the star’s countryside mansion for a second time this year, amid a dispute with neighbours.
The comedian lived at Knoll Hill House in Aldington, near Ashford, from 1999 until he died in 2023, aged 67, from cardiac arrhythmia.
Originally listed for £3.5 million by Andre Portasio in September, it was brought down to £2.65 million in January, and has now had another £250,000 knocked off the price.
Knoll Hill House can now be seen on listings up for grabs for £2.4 million – bringing the total down by more than £1 million in less than 12 months.
It comes as Mr Portasio continues to clash with neighbours over plans to transform a disused building on the site.
A bid to convert a groundkeeper’s outbuilding into a two-bedroom home was rejected by Ashford Borough Council, after the Kent Downs National Landscape Unit said the proposals failed “to conserve or enhance the special character and qualities” of the surrounding area.
He later applied to transform the lodge into a holiday let, plans which received the go-ahead despite fears it would mean a “constant stream of visitors” through the village.
Fred Jaeger, 77, who has lived opposite the property for 40 years, told MailOnline: “I thought the holiday let plan was very bad. It would have cheapened the area a lot. I did not agree with that at all.
“It’s a really unique property. I think it’s the best house in Kent. I just wish Andre would decide what he wants to do with it.
“It’s not good that it has been lowered in price. I cannot understand why it would not be sold. It’s absolutely breathtaking.
“He should have kept it at the value it was originally.”
Set within a sprawling 20 acres and overlooking Romney Marsh, Knoll Hill was described as “the kind of house you’d find in one of those Enid Blyton books” by Paul’s former partner Brendan Murphy, who died in 2005.
Once owned by fellow comedian Vic Reeves, there is a swimming pool, two self-contained cottages, a barn and stables.
The kitchen’s French doors open onto a terrace and the gardens beyond, while the master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and a balcony.
Estate agent Strutt and Parker said: “Knoll Hill House sits in a breathtaking position at the top of the escarpment above the Romney Marsh which affords the most sensational far-reaching views, looking across the marsh to the coast and the sea in the distance.
“Built in 1910 the house has much charm, providing a comfortable and spacious space in which to live and entertain against this stunning backdrop.”
