She’s the ethereal singer with a ghostly image and a love of the romantic who has even described herself as a ‘secret goth’.
So it is perhaps fitting for popstar Florence Welch, who is known for fronting British rock band Florence and the Machine, that the latest obstacle she faces in her plans to renovate a haunted historic West Country mansion comes straight out of the gothic playbook: bats.
Florence, 39, bought the Grade II-listed estate in Somerset for £2million and had lavish plans to renovate and rebuild it – but five years on, she has yet to move in after a series of spooky hold-ups.
First, work came to a sudden stop when builders unearthed skeletons from an ancient burial ground underneath the former abbey.
And now, the discovery of protected bats roosting on the estate has again meant work has had to be halted while she liaises with Natural England on how to proceed.
All UK bats are protected and it is an offence to disturb them or damage their roosts unless any work has been approved by the body.
It is unclear how long the discovery will delay building works.
The property has 60 rooms across three floors as well as a scullery, grand hall, swimming pool and folly.
Florence Welch bought the Grade II-listed Somerset estate for £2million in 2020 but has yet to move in five years after skeletons, bats and a burial ground were found in the 60-room home
The Florence and the Machine singer had high hopes for the sprawling countryside property – but her attempts to renovate the home have been hit by a series of setbacks out of her control
First builders unearthed skeletons from an ancient burial ground underneath the former abbey. Now the discovery of bats roosting on the estate has again meant work has had to be halted
Florence was granted planning permission to re-unify what is currently configured as four separate buildings to create one vast mansion.
The estate was used for wool-dye production and the current mansion was built by the owners of the business in the 16th century – but there had been a residence on the site for at least 400 years previously.
It is surrounded by 1.2 acres of landscaped gardens with a stone wall boundary.
The previous delay to Florence’s build came when an archaeological report suggested there were ancient artifacts likely to be found, as well as human remains.
An agreement has been made with Florence that she will give any historical artefacts to the Somerset Museums Service.
Florence has had a lifelong fascination with historical buildings, telling Vogue magazine in 2011: ‘I really want a gothic castle, or a church, but I haven’t had time because I’ve only been home for two weeks in the last year.’
The bohemian singer is known for her spirituality, which should come in handy with the rumoured resident ghost.
The buildings – near the trendy celebrity-heavy town of Frome and the posh members’ hotel Babington House, part of Soho House – are believed to be haunted by a lady in grey.
Local folklore says the ghost was first seen in the 1970s.
Because the bats discovered are protected, Florence must stop work on the property set in 1.2 acres of Somerset countryside again while she liaises with Natural England on how to proceed
A resident in the small Somerset village where the old property sits said: ‘Florence just can’t seem to get a break with this renovation.’
Raised a Catholic, the songwriter describes herself as agnostic, meaning she believes nothing can be known about the existence of any god.
Her lyrics often centre around the supernatural, the occult, witchcraft, pagan practices and Wiccan traditions, which use magic to honour the elements and cycles of nature.
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