Chris Evans ‘set to net millions’ by bulldozing £3.8m Berkshire mansion and building 14 apartments

Chris Evans is set to make millions by turning his former mansion into luxury flats

Chris Evans is set to make millions by turning his former mansion into luxury flats.

The 52-year radio host plans to bulldoze the derelict eight-bedroom house he bought for £3.8 million and build a new property containing 14 apartments.

His project includes eight three-bedroom flats, which local estate agents believe could fetch up to £1.2 million each, and six two-bedroom flats that will likely go for £1million each.

There will be underground parking for 26 vehicles and an existing swimming pool and tennis court would be retained for communal use.

The development lies just north of Sunninghill, near Ascot in Berkshire and just over a mile from the town’s famous racecourse.

Evans bought the property in 2009 a year before he splashed out on a nine-bedroom mansion next door for £3.5 million. 

The 52-year radio host plans to bulldoze the derelict eight-bedroom house he bought for £3.8 million in 2009 (pictured)and build a new property containing 14 flats

The 52-year radio host plans to bulldoze the derelict eight-bedroom house he bought for £3.8 million in 2009 (pictured)and build a new property containing 14 flats

His project includes eight three-bedroom flats, which local estate agents believe could fetch up to £1.2 million each, and six two-bedroom flats that will likely go for £1million each

His project includes eight three-bedroom flats, which local estate agents believe could fetch up to £1.2 million each, and six two-bedroom flats that will likely go for £1million each

The development - featuring an underground parking for 26 cars and a swimming pool and tennis court - lies near Ascot, Berkshire, and is a a mile from the town's famous racecourse

The development – featuring an underground parking for 26 cars and a swimming pool and tennis court – lies near Ascot, Berkshire, and is a a mile from the town’s famous racecourse

He and his wife, Natasha Shishmanian, are now thought to live in a third house near Ascot, but have shrewdly kept ownership of the two previous homes.

The plans have been scaled down over the last six months following a backlash from angry neighbours.

Evans originally wanted to build 12 apartments and three detached houses in its place.

But he withdrew the planning application late last year after dozens of furious residents slammed the proposals which they branded a ‘massive over-development’.

The Virgin Radio breakfast host is one of only three people who own homes in the quiet, leafy road which also includes a church and business park.

One neighbour is the celebrated F1 engineer Adrian Newey who lives just 100 metres away from from the proposed flats.

In a letter to planners, Mr Newey wrote: ‘Any support for the application is based on the infrastructure being upgraded to neutralise impact of the development further along [the lane].

Evans' plans have been scaled down over the last six months following a backlash from angry neighbours after originally wanting to build 12 flats and three detached houses in its place

Evans’ plans have been scaled down over the last six months following a backlash from angry neighbours after originally wanting to build 12 flats and three detached houses in its place

The Virgin Radio breakfast host is one of only three people who own homes in the quiet, leafy road (pictured) of Sunninghill, which also includes a church and business park

The Virgin Radio breakfast host is one of only three people who own homes in the quiet, leafy road (pictured) of Sunninghill, which also includes a church and business park

The previous plans were criticised by the local parish council and described as 'inappropriate for Green Belt', while a preservation society argued it would triple traffic in the area

The previous plans were criticised by the local parish council and described as ‘inappropriate for Green Belt’, while a preservation society argued it would triple traffic in the area

‘The area’s NHS services are unable to cope with current demand , the local schools are heavily over-subscribed and traffic levels are increasing year on year with congestion in Sunninghill village and Ascot High Street that has a negative impact on the environment and safety in the area.’

According to the latest design and access statement, the flats will be contained within a new four-storey building which will have a ‘bespoke classical design’ to ‘enhance the character and appearance of the surrounding area.’

The previous plans were criticised by the local parish council and described as ‘inappropriate for Green Belt’, while a preservation society argued it would triple the volume of traffic in the area.

A yellow planning application notice tell residents the star wants to build a block including eight three-bedroom apartments

A yellow planning application notice tell residents the star wants to build a block including eight three-bedroom apartments

In a letter of objection to the previous plans, one local wrote: ‘This proposal constitutes a massive over-development at the edge of Sunninghill village and Ascot.

’15 dwellings represents up to 60 people resident on the site with much greater impact on the surrounding environment than at present.

‘It is right that [the site} should be redeveloped but in a sensitive and proportionate manner in keeping with its surroundings.’

In another letter of objection, the Society for the Protection of Ascot and Environs said: ‘The replacement buildings will not be singular and will result in a material alteration to the scale of the development of the site.

‘The proposed three dwellings do not conform with the rhythm of the street scene. The application is estimated to more than triple the volume of vehicle movements along [the lane].’

Although the proposed development of eight three-bedroom flats and six two-bedroom flats that will likely go for £1million each, which would have an estimated total value of around £15.6 million, it unknown what kind of deal Evans has made with developers Millgate Homes. 

The star was first given the go-ahead to demolish the property nearly 10 years ago but building work never started.

His planning agent, Richard Barter of Millgate Homes, said of the new plans: ‘The proposal is to provide a residential apartment building of a traditional design and appearance which reflects the character of a grand classical building.

‘The result is a form of development that will positively enhance the character and appearance of the site and the surrounding area.

Evans and his wife, Natasha Shishmanian (both pictured), are now thought to live in a third house near Ascot but have shrewdly kept ownership of the two previous homes

Evans and his wife, Natasha Shishmanian (both pictured), are now thought to live in a third house near Ascot but have shrewdly kept ownership of the two previous homes

‘Particular care has been taken throughout the design process to ensure the proposed development will not result in material harm to the openness of the Green Belt.’

Planners are expected to make a decision in May.

The former Radio 2 Breakfast Show presenter left the BBC at the start of the year to return to Virgin Radio for a reported £2million.

Evans was said to be earning £1.6 million a year before he left the BBC – down on the £2.2million he was paid in the year to April 2017 when he also hosted the newly revamped Top Gear before quitting after one series because of plunging ratings.

Last September, the BBC refused to be drawn on whether his salary was an issue for his decision to leave, which came four months after the latest salary figures were published.

MailOnline contacted Mr Evans for comment. 

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