Pregnant Kate Middleton and Prince William Receive Approval for Privacy Upgrades to Country Retreat

Changes to royal property include modifying gates as well as planting additional trees and shrubs

By Peter Gicas Mar 12, 2013 2:40 PMTags
Kate Middleton, Prince William, Anmer Hall, Amner, Norfolk, BritainRex USA; Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prince William and Kate Middleton are about to get a bit more privacy.

A request to make changes to Anmer Hall, the couple's potential country retreat has been approved.

"The planning application has been permitted for the rerouting of an existing driveway, the extension to garage block to form an equipment room, the conversion of the wood store into accommodation and the construction of a new garden room," a council spokesman for the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk confirms to E! News.

Additional trees and shrubs will also be planted at the 10-bedroom home that has been part of the royal estate since 1898 and is located two miles from Queen Elizabeth II's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

Many of the planned modifications are not exactly surprising given a recent topless photo scandal.

Not to mention the impending arrival of William and Kate's first child.