Weeks after quitting U.S. for UK, Ellen DeGeneres has already clashed with her neighbors; here's the reason why

Comedian Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi left the U.S. to begin a new life in the countryside of the United Kingdom, and she and her new British neighbors are reportedly at odds over plans for the construction of her new $18 million farmhouse.

DeGeneres is already in danger of getting on the wrong side of a prominent member of her new neighborhood after she committed a 'technical breach' during the construction of a single-story extension at her new home, which the London-based newspaper the Daily Mail described as a planning clash.

Five months before their relocation plans were made public, the former TV host and her 52-year-old wife are said to have bought the house in June. At the time, there were rumors that the couple would be relocating to the Cotswolds, a picturesque area about two hours from London.


Three local council members expressed concern that DeGeneres and de Rossi's extension might increase flood risk in the village and disturb Roman remains, which appears to have dampened their fresh start across the pond, as quoted in a report by Realtor.

According to reports, neighbors have voiced their opposition to deGeneres and de Rossi's extension plan on multiple occasions.

Council documents seen by the Daily Mail reveal that the onus is on the owner to report any historic remains uncovered. Other residents expressed concern that the hedge and wire fence at the comedian’s home could lead to flooding if trash gets “caught in the fence” and limits the “flow across the field.”

Despite the protests, a spokesperson for West Oxfordshire Direct Council insisted that the Roman remains sit over 200 yards from DeGeneres and de Rossi’s property and that the work was “completed to a high standard.”

The reports come just weeks after a piece was published in Vanity Fair in which several unnamed locals from DeGeneres’ former community of Montecito accused her—along with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—of driving up house prices in the area.

In November, when news of DeGeneres and de Rossi’s move was first revealed, it was claimed by TMZ that their decision to get the hell out of the U.S. was cemented by Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election—despite the fact that they had purchased their home months earlier.

DeGeneres was an outspoken supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election, publicly endorsing her in a post shared on Instagram back in August.

FAQs

Why are Ellen's neighbors so upset?
Some residents opposed her home extension, fearing it would increase flood risks and disturb Roman remains.

Did Ellen break any building rules?
Technically, yes. The extension violated development rights, but officials found it acceptable and closed the case without further action.