A Georgian mansion which could be the future home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has been given approval for planned changes to increase its security and privacy.

Plans have been approved by West Norfolk Borough Council for Anmer Hall, near Sandringham, to re-route the driveway and to extend the garage block to form an equipment room.

Wood stores are also set to be converted into accommodation and a new garden room will also be constructed.

The extra accommodation could be to house the private security that would be required should the mansion become home to such high profile members of the royal family.

It is thought that the hedges around the building are being grown and trees and shrubs planted to give the site more privacy.

Since plans were submitted in January there has been speculation that the Queen was planning on gifting the home to her grandson and his wife to use as a country retreat as they prepare for the birth of their first child.

If the couple do take up residence they are likely to use a Kensington Palace apartment as their main home and keep the Norfolk mansion as a country getaway.

Located just a few miles from Sandringham, the home is surrounded by the grounds of the Queen's estate.

Anmer Hall has been part of the Sandringham Estate since 1898 and was previously home to the Duke and Duchess of Kent.

James Everett, owner of Norfolk Oak, has rented the property for his family since 2003.

The 10-bedroom house has been around in its current form since 1802 but the middle part of the home is much older.

It was announced that the Duchess of Cambridge was pregnant on December 3 last year and it is thought that the baby is due in July.