James Corden's £8 million Wokingham house could be demolished

A planning application has been submitted to transform Templecombe, which is owned by High Wycombe-born celebrity James Corden.

The 1960s home with a unique C-shaped design comes with a number of party pieces, including a heated pool house, a tennis court and a Druidic circle.

National reports have suggested that Mr Corden, who hosts the Late Late Show on CBS, could soon return to the UK after eight years in the US.

But it is unclear whether Mr Corden will be spending time at Templecombe.

READ MORE: TV's James Corden urged to give back 'ancient stones' from home

Templecombe Existing and Replacement elevations. Credit: Michaelis Boyd

That's because a plan was submitted last October and sees the original 1960s curved main house and pool house set to be replaced with a newly built two-storey home.

The plan comes after recent images showed the home unsecured and abandoned, as urban explorers managed to enter the property in March 2022.

Two videos on YouTube show urban explorers walking around the house, with the swimming pool drained of water and the grounds overgrown. 

The plan has been recommended for approval by borough council planning officer Simon Taylor on the condition that a detailed Conservation Management Strategy for the estate is followed and a Section 106 legal agreement is reached.

Initial designs involved the construction of a new pool house as well, but that has since been removed from the plan following concerns raised from Built Heritage and Historic England.

The indoor heated pool at Templecombe - which could be demolished. Credit: HCUK Group

The application has been submitted by Atlantic Swiss Agency, which provides financial services to clients in the entertainment industry like Mr Corden.

It is due to be decided at Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday, January 11.

You can view design proposals by typing reference 223108 into the council’s planning portal.

The recent history of Templecombe 

The Druid Circle in the grounds of Templecombe, Remenham. Credit: Wokingham Borough Council

Mr Corden acquired Templecombe in December 2020.

The following year, Mr Corden faced calls for the Druidic circle to be moved from the grounds to Jersey.

The druid circle and the Park Place Estate that Templecombe is built within are both Grade II listed.

The druid circle, called The Mont De La Ville dolmen, was transported from St Helier, the capital of Jersey to the estate in 1788.

The stones were given as a gift to a previous owner General Henry Seymour Conway, who was the Governor of Jersey, who constructed defensive towers to prevent a French invasion.

The Park Place house was used as a film location for the St Trinian’s film from 2007.