COUNCILLORS have approved plans by Rupert Murdoch’s daughter to boost security at her home.

Members of West Oxfordshire District Council ’s uplands area planning sub-committee discussed the application yesterday.

Mr Murdoch’s daughter Elisabeth and her husband Matthew Freud, say their Burford home has become a target for intruders.

The couple applied to build a lodge, housing a full-time guard, at the Sheep Street entrance to the Grade I-listed Burford Priory.

They said they had suffered a number of burglaries and were concerned for the safety of their six children, aged between four and 14.

Burford district councillor Derek Cotterill, who is a member of the committee, added: “This is the second application for this lodge.

“The first application was refused on the grounds that the lodge was too large and not in keeping with the area.

“This lodge that we have approved is smaller and more in keeping with the Cotswold style.”

The application had been recommended for approval by planning officers.

Ms Murdoch and her husband said in their application that thieves struck at night two years ago. Property, including mowers, valued at £80,000, was taken from buildings next to the Priory, they said.

A second theft is said to have taken place when a swimming pool was being built.

The couple bought the priory, which dates back almost eight centuries, four years ago for £6.5m.

The lodge will feature extensive living quarters, with two bedrooms and a kitchen, for security staff.

The applications stated there were no security fears for the main entrance in Priory Lane because it was in a prominent position.