FOR THE CHOP Ant McPartlin axes £6m mansion expansion plans after losing battle over just six TREES ahead of welcoming first child

 ANT McPartlin has scrapped plans to cut down a forest at the end of his garden to make way for a new studio – including a "honeybee retreat".

The I'm A Celeb host and wife Anne-Marie Corbett wanted to cut down six trees in their £6million, seven-bedroom mansion.

Despite being protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), they were given permission to cut down four cypress trees, a Weymouth pine and a yew.

But then, conservationists and neighbors accused him of cutting down healthy trees in his leafy home.

A neighbor's letter read: “Other than the applicant's wish to allow re-landscaping of part of his garden, no justification has been given for cutting down these large trees.

"There is no suggestion that any of the trees are dangerous or diseased. "The personal whims of the applicant should not outweigh the benefit to the community and the community.

“The combined new garden buildings will be heavily screened from view and will have limited visual presence and therefore will not adversely impact the host property and adjacent properties.”

The proposed garden cabins would be built on special screw-pile foundations, attached to a timber frame with a suspended floor for the cabins to be "settled" within the existing trees.

According to the tree planting impact assessment, the lower branches of three trees will have to be removed to make way for the new structures, but this will not be detrimental to their health or sustainability.

In his report, a tree expert said: “It is my opinion that the construction method proposed by the tree owners is the least effective.

“This clearly demonstrates that property owners are making every possible effort to minimize ground disturbance.”

Ant and Anne-Marie moved into their own home in 2019, after a year of living together, and quickly embarked on a major renovation.

He added a swimming pool along with Victorian-style changing rooms and two single-storey extensions.

The three-storey luxury home also has five reception rooms, a large open-plan kitchen, cinema, sun room, larder, walk-in wardrobe, study and office.

But the couple lost a battle with planners to demolish the property's double garage and replace it with housing above.

Local council officials are expected to make a decision on the garden studio next month and so far there have been no objections from neighbours.

If planning permission is granted, construction work will begin in April and be completed by June.

The change in plans came after it was revealed that Anne-Marie and Ant are expecting their first child.

This weekend, Ant was seen smiling while out and about for the first time since the baby news was revealed.

The Britain's Got Talent anchor is set to become a father for the first time in June.

A source recently told Us: "This is the news everyone wanted. Ant and Anne-Marie are very happy.

“It's no secret that Ant has always wanted to have children, but sadly it was never going to happen for him, which he accepted.

“When they found out last year, they were absolutely ecstatic, but obviously kept the news quiet as long as possible.

"Having a baby two years shy of your 50th birthday, with the love of your life, is the stuff of dreams for Ant."

The couple got married in 2021 after moving in together in 2018.

Meanwhile, Ant's ex-wife Lisa Armstrong has responded with a series of cryptic messages after their baby news was made public.

The Strictly makeup artist, 47, was married to Ant for 11 years after they tied the knot in 2006. She uploaded a quote to Instagram that read: "No one is you and this is your superpower," and has shown several posts since Ant's announcement.