James May is facing a ‘life threatening’ injury from the steep garden steps at his £1million countryside retreat.The former Top Gear star, 63, resides in a charming Grade II listed cottage in the picturesque village of Ansty, Wiltshire, with his long-term art critic girlfriend Sarah Frater.But the couple are being forced to renovate their garden amid fears their elevated steps are ‘particularly dangerous’ and lie in a ‘precarious’ position with a significant drop.Architects of their 18th century cottage warned them they risk a 'severe if not life-threatening injury in the event of a fall' if they do not reduce the gradient.They have been granted planning permission from Wiltshire council to install a hand rail and wider and deeper steps to prevent the ‘safety risk’.In plans submitted to the council last month, the TV presenter’s architects proposed the reduction of the steps, which are regularly used for access to the garden, from a 52 per cent gradient to 33 per cent.May has been together with his girlfriend since 2000 and they bought their second home for £770,000 in 2015.Known as Deer Cottage, the listed building was converted from two semi-detached workers’ cottages into a single house in 1992. The former Top Gear star, 63, and his long-term art critic girlfriend Sarah Frater are being forced to renovate their garden amid fears their elevated steps are ‘particularly dangerous’ The couple resides in a charming Grade II listed cottage in the picturesque village of Ansty, Wiltshire May has been together with his girlfriend since 2000 and they bought their second home for £770,000 in 2015It is within walking distance of his pub, The Royal Oak, which he bought in 2020 after regularly attending with his wife.A planning officer said the ‘modest’ works on the ten garden steps behind the property’s greenhouse are described as ‘minor domestic alterations’ and would not involve any alteration to the fabric of the listed building.Ansty, an affluent and historic village with a population of around 100, has no shops, post offices or ATMs.And the former Grand Tour presenter has admitted living in the countryside is ‘still a novel experience for a townie like me’.He said: ‘I like that South Wilts, where our cottage and my pub are, is still genuinely rural.‘I love the scenery and the hilliness (except when I’m on my bike). We have deer in our woods and sheep in the field opposite to talk to.‘I am much more seasonally aware now I’ve spent time there. I enjoy tractors thundering around during the harvest and I’m on waving terms with some of the drivers.’May has primarily lived in Hammersmith, west London, since 2000. He spent five years renovating his £3million pad, which was completed in 2021.But last year he was forced to replace a brick canopy after his architects warned that loose bricks could fall on passers-byHe bought that property in 2000 for £325,000 and semi-derelict commercial property in 2015 for £310,000, both of which were demolished for the build.The design and access statement revealed: 'Despite numerous attempts to repair the existing canopy it has repeatedly failed, and the risk of loose bricks are a hazard to those walking below.'After discussions with engineers and metalworkers, it has been concluded that this design will likely continue to fail, therefore propose an alteration.'May bulldozed the two properties, including a light industrial woodshop, in 2019 and built in its place a two-storey residential home.He then moved all of his luxury cars and motorbikes around the corner from the site in a conservation area. Known as Deer Cottage, the listed building was converted from two semi-detached workers’ cottages into a single house in 1992 The house is within walking distance of his pub, The Royal Oak, which he bought in 2020 after regularly attending with his wifeHe has dozens of motorbikes and as many as ten cars, including a limited edition Ferrari 458 Speciale, a Porsche 911 and 1989 Mini Cooper.During that renovation he avoided a bruising battle with his neighbours by constantly including them in the planning process.One previously said: 'I couldn't wish for a better neighbour than James. He is a delight and has involved us all at every step of the way.James May has been contacted for comment.