TV host Jamie Theakston has won ‘the war’ with his millionaire neighbours – including the son of British film legend Richard Attenborough – after he was granted planning permission to build a family house in the back garden of his £6.5 million mansion.
The Heart FM breakfast show presenter risks further upsetting families in the conservation area where he lives after plans to build a family home – worth up to £2.5 million – were given approval by Hounslow Council last night.
Theakston was accused of ‘cultural vandalism’ and acting out of greed with no consideration to his neighbours in the quiet, leafy west London suburb of Chiswick.
Michael Attenborough, son of late film director Richard, will be most affected as the proposed development as it will be built alongside his semi-detached house.
Mr Attenborough, 68, led a chorus of objections from neighbours to Hounslow Council against the build.
But the planning committee granted Theakston approval to build, ruling that it would ‘preserve the character and appearance’ of the highly desirable area and ‘would not harm neighbours’.
It stated: ‘The design of the new house would preserve the character and appearance of the Wellesley Road Conservation Area, and would not harm neighbours’ living conditions.
‘The proposed accommodation would be of a satisfactory standards and appropriate mitigation measures and landscaping conditions would protect retained trees in the vicinity of the site.’
Jamie Theakston lives in his property worth £6.5million in the far right of this picture. Michael Attenborough, son of late British film director Richard Attenborough lives in the cream house on the left. The two men are feuding because Theakston wants to build a new family property where the Victorian coach house is situated next door to Attenborough’s home
Heart FM host Theakston, 46, bought his stunning five bedroom home in west London for £3.8m in 2010. He spent two years renovating it and in 2013 put the house – which recently featured on the TV show ‘Through the Keyhole’ – up for sale at £6.5m
Theakston has won the right to knock down the garage at the bottom of his garden (pictured) and build a family home there instead. Michael Attenborough, who lives next door, opposed the plans, which were granted at a planning meeting last night
Theakston said before the meeting: ‘I fully support our neighbours’ right to appeal and we have ensured that throughout the process all of their concerns have been addressed and the plans have been constantly adapted to accommodate these.’
Michael Attenborough, pictured with his late father Richard, said the plans would have a huge impact on his family home for the last 30 years and that he and his wife would seriously consider leaving the conservation area should the plans go ahead
Hounslow Council’s planning committee granted planning permission with 18 conditions.
These include: that work will be restricted to between 8am and 6am Monday to Friday, between 9am and 1pm on Saturday and that there will be no construction or demolition work on Sundays and public holidays – without prior agreement; that the materials used in the construction, including roofing, will be approved by town planners; and that windows facing Mr Attenborough’s home at 12 Burlington Gardens will be glazed and non-opening.
Other conditions include: that the building work is started within three years; strict rules on when any building and demolition work can take place so that adjoining properties can be protected; and that the maximum number of trees.
The planning committee received objections from ten of Theakston’s neighbours, including Michael Attenborough, about the building project.
These objections included: affect house prices and rental incomes; neighbours had not been properly consulted; harm trees; increase traffic congestion; obscure light and views from nearby properties; increase parking demand; harm the character of the conservation area; disturb families; and that the area was already over-crowded.
The planning committee admitted that a previous application to build in Theakston’s garden had been refused because it would harm neighbours.
But the councillors ruled that current plan was ‘significantly different’.
Their report stated: ‘It is acknowledged that a previous application for an outbuilding at the site was refused owing to harm caused to neighbour’s amenity.
‘The current application is significantly different to that pervious scheme in relation to its position, scale and impact.
‘This application has been assessed on its own merits.’
It added that Theakston’s neighbours – particularly Mr Attenborough – would be affected by the build but that ‘adequate’ daylight and privacy would be retained and that ‘living conditions’ would be ‘to an acceptable level’.
It stated : ‘The proposed development would change the outlook for neighbouring properties, and especially No. 12 and particularly from their rear garden.
‘Adequate levels of daylight and sunlight would be retained to No. 12 and no properties would experience a loss of privacy subject to safeguarding conditions.
‘Therefore, on balance, neighbours living conditions would be preserved to an acceptable level.’
Theakston’s magnificent home in Chiswick, west London, where he lives with his wife Sophie Siegle and their two children
An artist’s impression of how the four bedroom family home will look at the bottom of Theakston’s garden now it is approved
Theakston and his wife Sophie previously submitted a planning application to build a gym and indoor pool area in place of the coach house (pictured) – which was was rejected by the council because the building would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation area as well as the loss of trees and disruption to neighbours
Architect drawings lodged with Hounslow Council show that Theakston’s new home would mirror that of Michael Attenborough’s in style, size and building materials in an attempt to blend in
The property will sit at the bottom of TV star Theakston’s garden and next door to that of Michael Attenborough who had complained to the council about the plans along with 20 more of his neighbours
Despite the wealthy neighbours’ objections, Theakston was granted approval by Hounslow council last night at a meeting
Before the meeting, Mr Attenborough said: ‘Mr Theakston has told me his wants to build to the house and sell it for as much as possible but I don’t think he has considered the impact on his neighbours.
‘He is doing nothing illegal as the house will be built entirely on his own land, but as his neighbour it will have a huge impact on our home of the last 30 years.
‘If it goes ahead we will seriously have to consider leaving as it will not be the same here anymore. What I don’t understand is why he moved to a conservation area and then sets about wanting to change things.’
Theakston (pictured) would be able to sell the four bedroom property for around £2.5 million once it has been completed
More than 20 other neighbours – almost the entire street – voiced their objections to Hounslow Borough Council’s planning department citing loss of trees in Theakston’s garden and the disruption construction would cause in the quiet one-way street.
They also said the destruction of a Victorian coach house at the foot of his spacious L-shaped 121ft garden would be ‘cultural vandalism’.
Theakston, 46, a father-of-two who married Sophie Siegle in 2007, said he had attempted to address the concerns of those living near him.
Before the meeting, he added: ‘I fully support our neighbours’ right to appeal and we have ensured that throughout the process all of their concerns have been addressed and the plans have been constantly adapted to accommodate these.’
The star bought his stunning five bedroom home that sits on a corner plot for £3.8m in 2010.
He undertook a massive renovation project that lasted two years and in 2013 put the double fronted house – which recently featured on the TV show ‘Through the Keyhole’ – up for sale at £6.5m.
Had it sold it would have been the most second most expensive house ever sold in Chiswick, about six miles from the centre of London.
With no takers for the house Theakston and his wife Sophie took it off the market and submitted a planning application to build a gym and indoor pool area in place of the coach house.
This was rejected by the local council on the grounds that the building would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation area as well as the loss of trees and disruption to neighbours.
Theakston submitted a new application to build a four bedroom home that would likely sell upwards of £2.5m in an much sought after area favoured by many celebrities, including Ant and Dec, former Dr Who David Tennant and TV presenter Claire Balding.
Mr Attenborough, a former theatre director who now teaches at the drama school RADA, said one of the reasons they had stayed so long in their home was because it was in a Conservation area where changes to existing homes and gardens are strictly regulated.
‘We have been here close to 30 years. Our house looks out over wonderful greenery and trees. If this new house is built all that will disappear’ he said.
‘We will have loss of light and privacy but feel there is just going to be a negative impact on our street.
‘The whole point of a Conservation area is that the greenery and trees are preserved. I know the trees are in Mr Theakston’s garden, but they still come under the remit of a Conservation area.
‘I can’t see how the council can allow them to be cut down.
‘The plans for a gym and pool in the garden were rejected so we are hoping that the council apply the same rules and do not give permission for this house.
‘It is not just me but almost every neighbour in the street has written to object to the building of this home.’
Theakston and his wife Sophie live in this beautiful property (pictured) in the highly sought after leafy west London suburb of Chiswick not far from where TV stars Ant & Dec live
The couple carried out extensive renovation work on their spectacular property before putting it back on the market on 2013 for £6.5million, which would have made it the most expensive house in the area had it sold
Theakston’s wonderful home was featured on the ITV show ‘Through The Keyhole’ last month where the star allowed the TV cameras into his home to show viewers the luxury in which he lives
In a 2010 interview the radio personality revealed how he had bought his first home aged 21 in trendy Notting Hill and by his late 30s had traded up by moving four times. Pictured: A living room at the star’s five bedroom, west London home
Mr Attenborough said it was laughable for the developers to claim in their application that they were providing a home for a family.
‘You can hardly call it affordable housing as it is likely to be sold for over £2.5m. I don’t see how that meets the council’s remit of providing affordable housing.’
Other neighbours interviewed by MailOnline did not want to be named but expressed their anger at Theakston.
‘We just feel that it is unnecessary and he is doing this to make as much money as possible,’ said one.
‘There was no consulation with any of the neighbours and he doesn’t really care about us as long as he makes lots of money. We have nothing to do with him, but he has not endeared himself to the neighbours.’
Another said: ‘The trees that are in his garden contribute to the area and even Theakston’s own arborist said they would create a significant loss to the surrounding landscape.
‘But this is not just about the trees as he is trying to squeeze a house into the part of the garden that he doesn’t use.
‘If this goes ahead it will set a precedent and you will have lots of people looking to turn their garden into another home to make a killing in the property market.’
One neighbour added: ‘It is the whole street against Theakston. No one wants this house built here. We just hope the planning department see sense and reject his plans.’
Many of those who have objected plan to attend a planning meeting this week when the council will hear objections before making a ruling.
Around 20 neighbours have complained to the council over the plans (left). A notice of TV star Theakston’s intention to build a new home at the bottom of his garden is attached to a signpost (right)
The plans for a new home will match those of Mr Attenborough’s home next door where he has lived for around 30 years
It is not believed any of the trees in Theakston’s garden are covered by a preservation order which would prevent them being cut down.
Architects drawings lodged with Hounslow Council show that Theakston’s new home would mirror that of Michael Attenborough’s in style, size and building materials in an attempt to blend in.
In an effort to ease neighbours’s fears the architects Hamilton King say the building will cause little disruption as skips and other building materials will not be left in the road but in Theakston’s garden that straddles two different streets.
They also say: ‘Our proposed development will improve the visual amenity of the site and the conservation area too.’
The new build would have four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a utility area and bike storage as well as off street parking. But it will be dwarfed by Theakston’s own 5,000sq ft home that estate agents described as ‘possibly one of Chiswick’s best looking and finished properties.’
Theakston (pictured with fellow Heart presenter Emma Bunton) was one of the most recognisable faces on TV from presenting ‘Top of the Pop’s from 1997 to 2003
Boasting five bedrooms over three floors, the Victorian home has its own wine cellar, plant room and utility room.
A team of designers completely remodeled the property to include a master suite with his and hers dressing areas and a huge kitchen/living room area that opens out on to the garden.
Theakston was one of the most recognisable faces on TV from presenting ‘Top of the Pop’s from 1997 to 2003. He was also a presenter of ‘Live and Kicking’ and has been the voice of the TV series ‘Traffic Cops’.
Since 2013 he has presented the breakfast show on Heart Radio with former Spice Girl Emma Bunton.
Theakston married former actress Sophie Siegle in 2007 and the couple have two boys.
In a 2010 interview the radio personality revealed how he had bought his first home aged 21 in trendy Notting Hill and by his late 30s had traded up by moving four times.
Three years ago he sold a Tudor manor in the Sussex town of Ditching where he grew up for £1.85m having owned the Grade 1 listed building for a decade.
Theakston said he had no comment to make when asked by the MailOnline about the planning dispute.