Robbie Williams’ wins battle with neighbours to extend his home

Robbie Williams could soon invite the builders into his West London home as planning permission for a summerhouse in the grounds look set to get the green light.

After an arduous four-year battle with neighbours – including Led Zepplin guitarist Jimmy Page – the former Take That star could soon see the luxurious garden house finally built at his £17.5 million mansion.

The Angels singer, 44, has been battling to build the 6metre x 5.3metre structure in the grounds of his Grade II listed home – which already boasts a pool, gym and cinema – since 2014.

Williams has been forced to withdraw two previous applications but looks set to get the go-ahead third time around.

Councillors are now being recommended to grant consent for the proposed development – despite three letters of objection from residents – although a separate application to create a ‘mega’ basement looks less likely.  

 

Sing when you’re winning! A determined Robbie (pictured with wife Ayda Field) has re-submitted plans for a summerhouse at his West London home three times – and now looks set to finally get the green light to begin building it

Take That! Singer Robbie wants the summer house (plans pictured above) as a place to relax with wife Ayda Field and their kids Theodora, five and Charlton, three 

Take That! Singer Robbie wants the summer house (plans pictured above) as a place to relax with wife Ayda Field and their kids Theodora, five and Charlton, three 

A planning official said the new plans 'would preserve the setting of the Grade II listed building' and preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area it's in

A planning official said the new plans ‘would preserve the setting of the Grade II listed building’ and preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area it’s in

This graphic shows the gym and 30ft swimming pool under the garden he wants to build

This graphic shows the gym and 30ft swimming pool under the garden he wants to build

In the latest report, the borough’s planning officer said: ‘The proposed summerhouse and associated landscaping works would preserve the setting of the Grade II listed building and would preserve the character and appearance of the local Conservation Area.

‘The proposals would have an acceptable impact on neighbouring living conditions and on trees. The height of the summerhouse would be acceptable as it would not be a dominant structure within the views from or of the listed building, nor would it detract from views across the conservation area.’

But in a letter to the council, one neighbour objected, writing: ‘The height of the proposed structure remains excessive and will constitute a harm to our living conditions, as it will substantially increase a sense of enclosure for us as it sits across a substantial part of our property.

Williams' home in West London; the star also submitted a second application to build an 'iceberg' basement several years ago but has faced angry protests from neighbours,  including  Led Zeppelin rocker Jimmy Page, who say any such development would 'catastrophic'

Williams’ home in West London; the star also submitted a second application to build an ‘iceberg’ basement several years ago but has faced angry protests from neighbours,  including  Led Zeppelin rocker Jimmy Page, who say any such development would ‘catastrophic’

While the couple could soon be entertaining guests in their summerhouse; they're still yet to have plans for a vast basement development approved

While the couple could soon be entertaining guests in their summerhouse; they’re still yet to have plans for a vast basement development approved

Robbie and wife Ayda Field, who married in 2010, are pictured in Germany last year

Robbie and wife Ayda Field, who married in 2010, are pictured in Germany last year

‘It will be impossible to grow sufficiently sized flora to create a visually attractive barrier which could soften the structure. A substantial part of the summerhouse is clearly visible directly from our garden.

‘The potential risks and negative effects on many affected parties of you granting planning consent for a building of this nature in these circumstances must surely outweigh the potential small whimsical benefit indulged by just one party.’

Another resident wrote: ‘There is a significant amount of construction proposed on the site and we remain concerned about the impact on the trees in this garden due to the overall extensive ongoing development of the site.’

A third added: ‘The proposed erection of a summerhouse…creates a visually obtrusive structure in my rear garden.’

The fresh objections come despite Robbie’s representatives meeting neighbours who blasted his previous plans for the summerhouse, with one accusing him of building ‘beds in sheds’. 

The star wants to create a tunnel from the main property to a renovated basement (pictured)

The star wants to create a tunnel from the main property to a renovated basement (pictured)

His planning agent said: ‘The proposed summerhouse has been reduced further in terms of its size and scale as far as is possible, in order that the internal space and its floor-to-ceiling height are as small and low as possible for the proposed summerhouse to serve its functional purpose.

‘The proposed summerhouse would be used as a relaxation space for temporary sporadic occupation to suit the needs of the occupier.

Plans for the summerhouse were first mooted four years ago and councillors are expected to make a final decision later this month.

In a separate application to build a lavish basement development, Robbie has frequently prompted anger from Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, who lives next door.

Page has lambasted Williams’ grand plans to dig deep to create the massive complex, saying it nearly doubles the size of the house.

The two musicians have been at war for four years, ever since Robbie bought the historic Grade II listed property and started extensive renovation works, much to the annoyance of his legendary neighbour. 

Robbie's neighbour, Led Zeppelin icon Jimmy Page has objected to his plans

Robbie’s neighbour, Led Zeppelin icon Jimmy Page has objected to his plans

In February, Jimmy reignited the dispute by blasting the latest building plans submitted by the ex-Take That singer.

Robbie has made an application for an ‘iceberg’ basement with a gym and a 30ft swimming pool underneath the garden of his Grade II-listed home.

The plan includes a tunnel, garden landscaping and work on the ground-floor balcony to install a ventilation system. 

Jimmy, 74, who lives next door in the Grade I-listed Tower House on an exclusive street in West London, has written to the council saying the proposed work would be ‘catastrophic’.

The new plan includes garden landscaping and work on a ground-floor balcony, which is only yards away from the boundary with Jimmy’s home.

The 44-year-old former Take That star is also wanting to remove ‘two mature, multi-stemmed Sweet Bay trees’, which Jimmy says will ruin the view from his window and the ‘feeling currently enjoyed’. 

Although Robbie’s plans does include planting nine new trees (according to the ‘proposed tree planting’ document).

Jimmy’s house is Grade I listed. It was designed by Victorian architect William Burges in the 1870s and has also been owned by poet John Betjeman.

Jimmy's home (pictured). The 74-year-old claims that work on Robbie's property, particularly the vibration from all the construction, could cause irreversible damage, especially the inside of the house, which contains historic paintings, decorations and frescoes

Jimmy’s home (pictured). The 74-year-old claims that work on Robbie’s property, particularly the vibration from all the construction, could cause irreversible damage, especially the inside of the house, which contains historic paintings, decorations and frescoes

Plans for the summerhouse at Williams' home, cited for 'sporadic use' by the former Take That star, have stalled twice but could now be pushed through

Plans for the summerhouse at Williams’ home, cited for ‘sporadic use’ by the former Take That star, have stalled twice but could now be pushed through

The 74-year-old claims that work on Robbie’s 46-room property, particularly the vibration from all the construction, could cause irreversible damage, especially the inside of the house, which contains historic paintings, decorations and frescoes.

A similar planning application was withdrawn by Robbie in April 2015, which Jimmy had described as ‘catastrophic.’

In a two-page letter of objection, dated 19 February, Jimmy wrote: ‘As I have written previously (and repeat here for the sake of clarity), the Tower House was in built in the 1870s by the eminent Victorian architect, William Burges, for his own use.

‘Having protected the Tower House for over forty years, I am now continuing the fight against a new threat to this precious and unique building.

‘Although relatively plain on the outside, the interior is richly decorated with a variety of finishes/techniques designed in a highly original manner. Many of these finishes and fittings are extremely delicate and, of course, irreplaceable and include stained glass, decorative plasterwork, painted ceramic tiling and painted frescoes.

‘I believe during the period I have been fortunate to own the Tower House, I have been a good steward of Burges’ masterpiece. My efforts in preserving the building have been recognised as being exemplary by Historic England and its predecessor, English Heritage.’



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