Michael Schumacher and his family will be staying in their current home in the west of Switzerland after his plans to move to Wolfhalden in the country’s east, were blocked by environmental groups.

Schumacher and his wife Corinna had intended to move to the German-speaking region so their children, Gina-Maria and Mick, could have a German language education. The family’s current address is in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

Environmental groups objected to Schumacher’s plans to build a substantial home on a hilltop near Wolfhalden that included a training facility, indoor swimming pool, horse stables and an area to land helicopters and aircraft.

Schumacher is in a position to appeal the council decision but in a statement released by his lawyer this week, he said it would be too drawn out and complicated.

‘The legal process would have taken too long,’ read the statement. ‘For that reason, we have decided to halt the project and we will stay where we are.’