Ellen DeGeneres plans riding arena at Cotswolds home

The former chat show host and her partner Portia De Rossi have submitted plans to build the arena as their horses often can’t use the site in the winter, due to flooding from a river that runs through the property.

The pair had revealed their intention to stay ‘long-term’ at Kitesbridge Farm near Burford, having bought the site for £15 million in 2024 and done it up for a reported further £7.5 million.

Ellen DeGeneres has submitted plans for horse stables to stay ‘long term’ at her flood-hit Cotswolds home (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

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But they moved out after less than a month, in the hope of finding something more suitable to accommodate Portia’s passion for horse riding.

The 43 acre home was listed last July, but failed to attract a buyer and was plagued by flooding from the River Windrush.

Planning documents submitted last month for new stables suggest they now have ambitions to stay in the Cotswolds longer term, if their planning bids are successful – a big ‘if’, as battles are ongoing over Roman remains.

Ellen DeGeneres has submitted plans for horse stables to stay ‘long term’ at her flood-hit Cotswolds home (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

Now, a new application has been made to build an all-weather arena outside of the Windrush flood zone so that they can keep their horses on site.

Both applications are still under consideration with West Oxfordshire District Council.

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Ms DeGeneres’ representatives said of the arena plan: “The applicant’s horses are on site in temporary accommodation formed in the garaging in an existing barn pending the determination of (the stables application).

“In order to provide a suitable flat all-weather arena for exercising the horses this application has been made.

Ellen DeGeneres has submitted plans for horse stables to stay ‘long term’ at her flood-hit Cotswolds home (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

“The surrounding land does have some flat areas where the horses can be exercised in summer months – but it is also adjacent to the River Windrush, so for the winter and other wet times the opportunities for exercise are more limited.

“The choices then are daily movements to and from the site to exercise elsewhere – or to provide a modest facility on site.

Ellen DeGeneres has submitted plans for horse stables to stay ‘long term’ at her flood-hit Cotswolds home (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

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“The chosen location would be immediately adjacent to the stables building to the rear of the property where it would be seen in the context of the existing undulating topography and the backdrop of the existing buildings – in the fullness of time the proposed new stable building.”

Her representatives said the surrounding land is used to graze horses or farmed by others and there was no need for their own agricultural building for storage.

The application was also accompanied by flooding photographs taken from April 2023 that they said “show how the lower-lying fields in the vicinity of the site do not provide suitable opportunities for exercising horses at certain times of the year.