Claudia Schiffer and her film director husband Matthew Vaughan lose bid to install electric plugs at their sprawling £7.5m Tudor mansion because it would damage ancient oak

Claudia Schiffer and Matthew Vaughn have scrapped plans to install electric plugs at their £7.5m Tudor mansion over fears they could damage panelling made from ancient oak.

The catwalk queen and her film-director husband applied for listed building consent for a partial refit of Coldham Hall in Stanningfield, West Sussex.

They asked permission for four new plug sockets in the first floor living room of the historic mansion. 

It was proposed that the sockets would be installed by drilling holes into the paneling but conservationists warned the couple not to do this as it would damage the historic fabric of their home. 

Explaining their reasoning for the changes, the couple's planning agent said existing plugs in the living room were 'unsightly within the room and restrict the positioning of furniture.'

They went on: 'The sockets on the floor are unsightly within the room and restrict the positioning of furniture, and they are potentially vulnerable to anything spilled on the floor. Trailing cables are also a significant trip hazard. 

'Relocating the sockets on the walls so that they are hidden behind furniture and fittings means they will not be seen, and makes the room safer to use.

However, Historic England said: 'Panelling which contains small panels such as this could be as early as the 16th century and it tends to be popular until the late part of the 17th century where larger panels begin to become more common. 

'Given the date of the house and the early characteristics of the panelling, it could be in its historic location and there has been no evidence produced to the contrary.'

Meanwhile, West Suffolk Council's conservation team echoed Historic England's concerns and said any benefits 'would not outweigh the harm caused'. 

One Senior Conservation Officer wrote: 'Given the presence of existing sockets, I do not believe the provision of four sockets which involves cutting holes into what would appear to be historic panelling (whether sourced from elsewhere or contemporary) would accord with policy.

'I believe the works would cause harm to significance but the degree of harm is a little difficult to identify in the absence of a true understanding of the paneling's significance.

'In the absence of any public benefits, I do not believe there would be any benefits to outweigh the harm caused.

'The application is therefore recommended for refusal.'

The application has now been withdrawn and the plans scrapped.

Schiffer and Vaughan are believed to have originally paid around £7.5 million for their grade-one listed Tudor mansion, where they have lived for 20 years.

The grade-one listed building, located on a 530-acre estate, was built in 1574 and was once home to one of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators of 1605. 

The house is built in the shape of an H in honour of King Henry VIII. It is believed to have been named after Queen Elizabeth I, who was not amused after she was served cold ham there.