TALK OF THE TOWN: Locals plot revenge over heiress's homes plan

It's an elegant four-storey townhouse on a tree-lined street near Hyde Park, a haven for the wealthy Guinness heiress who owns it.

But the London home of Catherine Hesketh could become Britain’s national sheep museum, complete with a flock in the back garden, space to hold shearing demonstrations and a statue on the roof, if protesters succeed.

The aristocrat has angered locals in Cheshire, where she plans to build 500 new homes on 56 acres of former green belt land she owns. So in revenge, they have lodged a ‘change of use’ application to turn her multi-million-pound home into a celebration of the farmyard animal.

The Friends of Halebank campaign group cannot, of course, force the 72-year-old to give up her house to sheep, but want to give her a taste of her own medicine. ‘It’s a shame it’s come to this,’ says campaign leader Terry Colquitt. 

‘But maybe she will understand what it’s like for someone living 200 miles away to submit a planning application that could dramatically change the place you call home.’

Outline permission has already been given for the Halebank project, which includes a new school and community centre. But locals say it is too big for the area, which is known for its rare-breed sheep.

Another campaigner, John Anderton, complains the Heskeths – who own the nearby 12th-century Meols Hall estate as their country retreat – have refused to engage in any dialogue over the project, saying: ‘That’s rude and disrespectful.’

Ms Hesketh, pictured with model Lady Mary Charteris, one of her five children, was born into the Guinness dynasty and is the granddaughter of socialite Diana Mitford.

A spokesman for Halebank developers Harworth said the scheme was approved by Halton Council in January and would ‘deliver much-needed housing to the local area, including up to 100 designated as affordable, alongside the provision of new social infrastructure... whilst generating a significant number of new jobs’.

He added: ‘We are committed to working as closely as possible with our diverse range of stakeholders.’

Lola has some news on briefs

I wonder what Lady Lola Bute’s noble ancestors would have thought about their descendant’s latest modelling photographs?

Lola – whose father was the late Johnny Dumfries, Formula One driver and 7th Marquess of Bute, while her mum is fashion designer Serena Bute – posed in undies with her sister, Jazzy De Lisser, 33, to promote their clothing brand Debute.

One photo showed Lady Lola on the loo with her briefs around her ankles. ‘Hey sweet cheeks, don’t get your knickers in a twist!’, the 25-year-old joked.

It's fungi Becks... 

Mushrooms are working their magic on the Beckhams. Posh and Becks are said to have stocked up on a herbal health powder made from fungi which claims to improve brain function and relieve stress. 

Former Victoria Secret model Jess Clarke, who set up the Mother Made brand and is the girlfriend of Becks’ bestie Dave Gardner, tells me: ‘They love the “PM blend” in a hot chocolate at night. I should get David to grow some as well.’ 

An addition for Becks’ vegetable patch in the Cotswolds, perhaps? 

Do ya think I'm lofty?

Rod Stewart’s son Alastair claims he’s been dropped by his modelling agency – for being too tall at 6ft 6in. But doesn’t Models 1, which also represents Twiggy, Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista, know the 18-year-old, right, is hot property?

Alastair – Rod’s son with model and TV presenter Penny Lancaster – is charming, a student at Jimmy Choo’s Fashion Academy and newly single after a two-year relationship. Ditching him for his height seems a little, well, short-sighted...

Chelsy goes wild

If you want something done well, do it yourself. That must be what stunning Chelsy Davy was thinking when attempting to model the latest designs in her jewellery line.

Prince Harry’s ex donned two delicate pendants for this rather windswept photo, prompting her to joke: ‘Attempting to model the new Aya Essentials collection didn’t go quite to plan.’ 

Maybe Chelsy was trying to save some cash on models, as accounts show her company is £28,332 in the red.

I do hope get-well-soon parcels are reaching Queen Camilla as she continues her recovery from the nasty chest infection that meant she had to miss Remembrance Day commemorations. 

I hear there’s a row between Royal Mail and the sub-postmaster in Lacock, Wiltshire, where the Queen retains a home, with the post office not accepting any mail that won’t fit into its postbox until the dispute is resolved.

Billionaire Koos Bekker has cheesed off neighbours in Somerset with plans for a 12-acre buffalo mozzarella farm. Protesters say an unspoiled rural landscape will be ruined if Koos, owner of The Newt hotel, gets his way.

The secret behind Boris Johnson’s wild blond mop is out – thanks to his wife Carrie. Revealing that the former Prime Minister eschews expensive shampoos, she told me last week: ‘He uses 99p Radox shower gel. You know, the big blue bottle.’