Sandringham mansion rumoured for William and Kate

Published on 11/01/2013 00:00

Royal aides have applied for permission for a “major development” of a mansion on the Queen’s estate, rumoured to be the future home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The planning application has been made by the Sandringham Estate to the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, which covers the monarch’s Norfolk retreat.

It follows reports that the Queen is preparing to give Grade II-listed Anmer Hall to Prince William and his wife as they prepare for the arrival of their first child.

The council is being asked to approve the rerouting of the drive and the extension of the garage block to form what is described as an “equipment room”. The application also includes the conversion of wood stores to accommodation and the construction of a garden room.

A decision on the plans is expected in March. Council officials said full details of the plans might not be made public in the normal way for security reasons.

Anmer Hall has been part of the Royal Estate since 1898 and is a short drive from Sandringham House. It was home to the Duke and Duchess of Kent between 1972 and 1990.

It is thought the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge could use the Norfolk mansion as a country retreat, with their main residence being an apartment in Kensington Palace.

Buckingham Palace has refused to comment on the claims.