Conservatory plan for William and Kate approved

The royal couple's planning application was not put in the public domain for "national security" reasons

Plans for a new conservatory which were declared a matter of national security because it was for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been approved.

It is believed the Queen has earmarked Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk as a family home for Prince William and Catherine.

King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council had already granted permission for a new garden room.

But a further request to install a glass roof was granted.

When the application was submitted in September, the council said it had received Home Office guidance citing "national security".

Wider scheme

The letter, according to the council, had said it could not put the conservatory request in the public domain given "the nature of the planning application".

Because the request was an amendment of previously approved plans, it was dealt with by planning officers rather than being put before councillors.

The conservatory plan forms part of a wider scheme, which includes re-routing the existing driveway, extending the garage block to include an equipment room and converting the wood stores into usable accommodation.

The Georgian Anmer Hall is about two miles (3km) east of the Queen's residence at Sandringham House.

The property has formed part of the Sandringham Estate since 1898 and was leased by the Duke and Duchess of Kent as their country house from 1972 until 1990.

The Grade II-listed house has 10 bedrooms and dates back to about 1802, but some parts are much older.

It was the home of the Everett family, who ran their timber business Norfolk Oak from The Old Stables.

They moved out in September to new premises in West Raynham.