A leading contender to be the 'next James Bond' won over his neighbours with his pond plan - after being credited with 'bringing back birds'.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his film director wife Sam had faced public anger over plans to excavate a huge lake in the grounds of their historic Somerset home.

But retrospective permission was granted papers show - and an inspection carried out last week has given the go ahead for the pond to continue operating with 'no issues' raised.

And some of the couple's closest neighbours say the British actor - widely tipped to become the new 007 - has done wonders in bringing back birds to his farmland in the Mendip hills.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson's property in Somerset where they have excavated a large lake. Somerset. April 4 2025. Release date April 8 2025. A leading contender to be the 'next James Bond' won over his neighbours with his pond plan - after being credited with 'bringing back birds'. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his film director wife Sam had faced public anger over plans to excavate a huge lake in the grounds of their historic Somerset home. But retrospective permission was granted papers show - and an inspection carried out last week has given the go ahead for the pond to continue operating with 'no issues' raised. And some of the couple's closest neighbours say the British actor - widely tipped to become the new 007 - has done wonders in bringing back birds to his farmland in the Mendip hills.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson's property in Somerset where they have excavated a large lake (Tom Wren / SWNS)

Taylor-Johnson was said to have accepted the role to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Sean Connery and Roger Moore in media reports last year.

The celebrity couple bought from Grand Designs host Kevin McCleod.

Neighbour Amy Fukuyama wrote: "I live to the west of the fields belonging to Great House Farm and am overjoyed at the prospect of the increase to biodiversity in our area.

"Since the ponds have been constructed there has been a noticeable increase in bird activity.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson's property in Somerset where they have excavated a large lake. Somerset. April 4 2025. Release date April 8 2025. A leading contender to be the 'next James Bond' won over his neighbours with his pond plan - after being credited with 'bringing back birds'. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his film director wife Sam had faced public anger over plans to excavate a huge lake in the grounds of their historic Somerset home. But retrospective permission was granted papers show - and an inspection carried out last week has given the go ahead for the pond to continue operating with 'no issues' raised. And some of the couple's closest neighbours say the British actor - widely tipped to become the new 007 - has done wonders in bringing back birds to his farmland in the Mendip hills.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson's property in Somerset where they have excavated a large lake (Tom Wren / SWNS)

"We now regularly see, and hear, flocks of geese flying over and can hear a Tawny Owl on occasions which I don't recall hearing before.

"I recently attended a talk by another local rewilding enthusiast in which he spoke of the flocks of 100 plus Goldfinches which now visit his re-wilded farm and I fully support any application which would encourage such activity in our area."

Another neighbour Darren Tune added: "Previously the field were monoculture providing very little habitat and this is better use of the field as it will increase the biodiversity of the area.”

The proposal will reduce the risk of flooding from these water courses that has threatened the fabric of the grade II listed farmhouse on a regular basis and also has resulted in regular flooding of the highway along Leigh Street.

The couple insisted the measures were needed to prevent flooding of the 16th century five bed Grade II listed home.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson's property in Somerset where they have excavated a large lake. Somerset. April 4 2025. Release date April 8 2025. A leading contender to be the 'next James Bond' won over his neighbours with his pond plan - after being credited with 'bringing back birds'. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his film director wife Sam had faced public anger over plans to excavate a huge lake in the grounds of their historic Somerset home. But retrospective permission was granted papers show - and an inspection carried out last week has given the go ahead for the pond to continue operating with 'no issues' raised. And some of the couple's closest neighbours say the British actor - widely tipped to become the new 007 - has done wonders in bringing back birds to his farmland in the Mendip hills.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson's property in Somerset where they have excavated a large lake (Tom Wren / SWNS)

Last month, a Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) inspection was carried out. It passed all necessary checks with no objections raised.

Evidence to support the application stated the home has flooded every year since 2011.

It says: "The owners are undertaking a project to create new wetland features to alleviate severe flooding to the house and to enhance biodiversity."

Planning permission was also granted earlier this month for new pedestrian and vehicle gates at the site.

On Friday, April 4, the green light was also given to install a new surfaced bellmouth, a cattlegrid and a timber field gate along with stock proof fencing, native hedge planting, and associated landscaping.

Approving the scheme, planners wrote: "The works proposed will improve the access to the agricultural land of the estate facilitating management of that land.

"Part of the wider site has been the subject of a comprehensive flood alleviation scheme in recent years and the access will also be used to facilitate maintenance of these works."