Paul O’Grady’s widower has gained permission to turn a redundant security office at the late TV star’s home into a holiday let - despite opposition from neighbours.

Planning officers at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) have approved Andre Portasio’s bid to transform the building in Aldington near Ashford.

The proposal sparked objections from some residents who feared the “inappropriate” scheme would spark a “constant stream of visitors”.

But ABC gave the green light last week, describing the bid as an “acceptable” move for the site off Knoll Hill.

It comes after planning officers at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) rejected Mr Portasio’s bid to turn the same building into a house three times the size in June.

Aldington and Bonnington Parish Council had objected to the revised scheme, stating the design did not enhance the character and tranquillity of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

But ABC says the transformation is a suitable proposal for the building.

“The use of the building as a holiday let can be carried out without any major external changes to the building," the planning officer wrote.

“The proposal will not significantly change the nature and use of the site as a whole, and, as such, the building will continue to appear as a modest outbuilding within the curtilage of the host dwelling.

“In any event, a modest one-bedroom holiday let would not lead to an unacceptable intensification of traffic to/from the site, no more so than the existing use as a gatekeepers' cottage."

O’Grady was reported to have left £15.5m in his will, including half-a-million pounds to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

He had bought the land in Aldington in August 1999 for £650,000.

The main house on the site has six bedrooms, a swimming pool, 52 acres, and four acres of woodland.

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Formerly known as Bolden’s Field, the property was constructed in the 1930s.

KentOnline attempted to contact Mr Portasio’s planning agent for comment.