Grand Tour presenter James May’s window plans for new £3.5million home are rejected

Work on former Top Gear presenter’s James May new £3.5m pad to store his car and bike collection have stalled after civic chiefs turned down his latest plans 

Work on former Top Gear presenter’s James May new £3.5m pad to store his car and bike collection have stalled after civic chiefs turned down his latest plans.

The TV star, who now presents Amazon’s The Grand Tour with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, is renovating his £3.5m home in Hammersmith which he purchased for £325,000 in 2000. 

May’s plans, which were approved in 2016 will see the property combined with a semi-derelict property next door, which he paid £310,000 for in 2013.

But the star, 56, who was nicknamed Captain Slow by Grand Tour pals Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, has had his latest amendments turned down by the council despite having a smooth planning process so far.

May lodged plans earlier this year to make to change the style and increase the size of three first floor front windows so that they were in keeping with the local architectural development in the area after previously stating that they would be made of aluminum.

But the proposal was rejected by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, who said the changed windows would be ‘visually incongruous’ with the rest of the street. 

May's original plans, which were approved in 2016, will see the property combined with a semi-derelict property next door, which he paid £310,000 for in 2013. The work on the new home is ongoing (pictured in March)

May’s original plans, which were approved in 2016, will see the property combined with a semi-derelict property next door, which he paid £310,000 for in 2013. The work on the new home is ongoing (pictured in March)

They added the windows would ‘constitute poor, unsympathetic design to the detriment of the character and appearance of the proposed development’.    

Under the rejected plans, the windows would have been double casements made of timber.

Planning documents said the street ‘is a mix of historic and post-WW2 designs with a range of window styles recognised on the street.

‘The windows on the first floor have been revised to echo the historic buildings either side of the development.

‘The proposal will feature windows that sit three brick courses below the eaves, in a similar configuration to the neighbours’.

‘The window lintels will be composed of a row of vertical bricks, supported by a white catnik lintel to echo the composition of the neighbour at no.20 (white lintel underside).

The star, 56, who was nicknamed Captain Slow by Grand Tour pals Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, has had his latest amendments, to the windows of his new home, turned down by the council despite having had a smooth planning process so far

The star, 56, who was nicknamed Captain Slow by Grand Tour pals Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, has had his latest amendments, to the windows of his new home, turned down by the council despite having had a smooth planning process so far

May lodged plans earlier this year to make to change the style and increase the size of three first floor front windows so that they were in keeping with the local architectural development in the area after previously stating that they would be made of aluminum

May lodged plans earlier this year to make to change the style and increase the size of three first floor front windows so that they were in keeping with the local architectural development in the area after previously stating that they would be made of aluminum

‘This leaves a single course of brick between the lintel and the eaves.

‘Further to this the proposal includes outward opening double casement windows made of timber.

‘The slimline timber frames will chime with the generally slender frames and will be painted in accordance to the previously approved planning application.’

May has demolished the house he bought for £325,000 in 2000 and combine it with the semi-derelict property next door (pictured), for which he paid £310,000 five years ago

May has demolished the house he bought for £325,000 in 2000 and combine it with the semi-derelict property next door (pictured), for which he paid £310,000 five years ago

Neighbours who have been supportive of the Top Gear host’s build have so far have not objected to the application.

But case officer James Cook said in planning documents: ‘The first-floor window design has been the subject of much discussion.

‘The proposed changes to the first-floor windows in the front elevation and their associated features would, by reason of their size, proportions and design, form a visually incongruous feature within the streetscene and constitute poor, unsympathetic design to the detriment of the character and appearance of the proposed development and the character and appearance of St. Peter’s Square Conservation Area.

Grand Tours host May, 56, has had to move out of his properties while developers completely rebuild them in a project that will take more than a year to complete

Grand Tours host May, 56, has had to move out of his properties while developers completely rebuild them in a project that will take more than a year to complete

As work began on the property, one neighbour told MailOnline: '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'

As work began on the property, one neighbour told MailOnline: ‘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’

‘The proposals would harm the significance of the St. Peter’s Square Conservation Area, the harm would be less substantial and would not be outweighed by public benefits.’

Prior to starting the build, the Grand Tour star held a meeting with his neighbours in 2015 to hear their views on the plans.

After the meeting, he amended them to reduce the height of the proposed build as well as addressing concerns about overlooking.

May, who is currently in Japan filming a solo travelogue for Amazon called 'Our Man In…Japan' wanted to ensure the property fits in with a street where some homes were built in the 1840s

May, who is currently in Japan filming a solo travelogue for Amazon called ‘Our Man In…Japan’ wanted to ensure the property fits in with a street where some homes were built in the 1840s

When completed, the property will have a kitchen-dining area, piano room and entertaining space on the ground-floor along with three bedrooms, a study, library and two bathrooms upstairs.

In a previous interview, May explained why he purchased the house: ‘Because it had a garage. 

‘It was an area where I wanted to live. A garage is pretty unusual around there so I took it.’

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