Ed Sheeran plans to build private chapel on country estate

Ed Sheeran is planning to built a chapel in the grounds of his Suffolk country estate.

Already fitted with a pub, treehouse, swimming pool and pond, he hopes to add a private chapel to his 16-acre farmhouse property, according to the Press Association. The building would be 'strictly non-denominational and for spiritual regeneration', according to the planning application.

Reuters/Toby Melville

The documents argue the need for the church because 'it is every person's right to be able to have a place of retreat for contemplation and prayer, for religious observance, celebration of key life and family milestones, marriages, christenings and so forth'.

The proposed chapel would be of made of flint and hold a congregation of around 24 with some overspill in the gallery, documents show.

Sheeran is thought to have been asked to play at Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in May.

He proposed to his own girlfriend, childhood sweetheart Cherry Seaborn, in December. However it is unlikely the pair would be allowed to marry in the private chapel because it would probably not be given a licence and it would not be open to the public.

Nicknamed Sheeranville by locals, the singer bought the property in 2012 for £895,000 and planning documents submitted to Suffolk coastal district council reveal his hopes for a Anglo-Saxon style church.