Pop star Ed Sheeran has bid for prayer retreat approved

Pop star Ed Sheeran has been given planning permission to build a prayer retreat on his Suffolk estate.

The planning application for the construction of an outbuilding was granted by East Suffolk Council last week.

In the application, it states that the outbuilding would address an “important need for a private place to retreat for contemplation and prayer” and that it would be for “celebration of key life and family milestones, family and social gatherings, marriages and christenings.”

It added: “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 Shape of You singer, who lives on the estate with his wife and Harleston Magpies player Cheryl Seaborne, has already bought a number of properties around Framlingham, where he grew up.

The building design is described as “novel and modern” with stained glass windows and curved walls which give it a “sweeping, boat-shaped feel”.

The application states that the place of worship has been designed so as not to conflict with the local parish church.

The plans for the building design are organic and natural, with a leaf-shaped roof and a form which could represent, according to the plans, a mother and child or fish or beetle.

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The application states that the building would offer the singer’s guests from around the world a space for “contemplation, prayer and relaxation, to meet, celebrate and meditate in peace and safety from disturbance.”