Boris Johnson lodges plans to knock down servants’ quarters at £4m mansion

BORIS Johnson has lodged plans to knock down the Downton Abbey-style servants’ quarters at his £4million mansion.

The former Tory PM says he wants to modernise his country pad for the “democratic age where families no longer rely on live-in staff”.

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The new application comes after he was given the green light to build a swimming pool on the grounds — despite claims from ecologist Edward Church it would threaten a newt colony.

It states that the southern ground floor needs to be reconfigured after it “became disjointed over several phases of alterations”.

Boris, 59, wife Carrie, 35, and their three children have settled into nine-bedroomed Brightwell Manor, South Oxon, as he faces scrutiny over his handling of the Covid pandemic.

They now want to demolish and reconstruct a single-storey extension, built for servants at the Grade II-listed family manor, to allow for an enlarged boot room and extended patio.

They also want a gated entrance for better security at the property.

Documents posted online with South Oxfordshire District Council add: “Since there are very young children, there is the requirement for the access to the property to become more secure.”

The proposals include an electrically operated gate with a video call entry system — stating the current entrance could be mistaken for a public access road.

Further planning notes suggest the extension will include a new scullery, laundry, larder, breakfast room, and a “plant room”.

Locals are yet to comment on the plan.

The Johnsons bought 400-year-old Brightwell Manor in February.