It’s curtains for theatre boss’s £1.6m retreat
He’s ordered to knock down seaside home neighbours have branded ‘a Travelodge’ ... and even has to fill in the swimming pool
IT is always sad when the final curtain comes down on a production.
But this ending will be far more painful for West End producer Adam Spiegel, son of legendary Hollywood mogul Sam.
For it is his £1.6million home whose run has come to an end despite being built just last year.
The imposing, ultra- modern three-storey seaside property he shares with his wife Charlotte, 49, has received terrible reviews from council officers, who have ordered the couple to tear it down.
According to council documents, the ‘scale, height and mass’ of Arcady, the pair’s wooden- clad retreat in the Norfolk village of Cley next the Sea, are ‘materially different’ from what was agreed when planning permission was granted. Even the swimming pool has failed to meet standards and Mr Spiegel, 51 – whose shows have included The Mousetrap and whose late father was behind Oscar-winners such as Lawrence Of Arabia – has been told it must be filled in.
Approached at the threebedroom house yesterday, he said: ‘Our lawyers have advised us not to speak to the Press while the process is ongoing. We have appealed the decision.’
Neighbours had already complained that the house was not in keeping within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which has traditional brick and flint houses and a Grade I- listed medieval church. Many welcomed the decision yesterday, with one saying: ‘If it was somewhere else then it would be fine but just not round here. We call it the Travelodge hotel because it’s so big and at night it’s all lit up.
‘It’s a shame that someone has to knock down their house but it just doesn’t fit in here. The problem is the size, it’s far too big.’
Other locals supported the property, however. One said: ‘It’s a lovely looking house. Just because
‘It just doesn’t fit in here’
it’s a little bit different people seem to have an issue with it.’
Mr Spiegel – whose father died in 1986 – and his wife bought the 0.7acre plot for £725,000 in December 2016. At the time it had a modest three-bedroom bungalow but the deal came with planning permission secured by the previous owners two years earlier. Website On The Market described the proposed development as an ‘innovative design with minimal impact on surroundings’.
Building of the home, which has a master suite with south-facing balcony, living room, library, wine cellar and two-bay garage, as well as a detached two-bedroom annexe, began after Mr and Mrs Spiegel bought the land and was completed last year. But checks revealed it did not meet what was agreed.
The enforcement notice served by North Norfolk District Council states it is in ‘breach of planning control’. The document goes on to say the property must be razed to the ground within nine months – meaning June next year at the latest. It reads: ‘The dwelling, as built, is of increased scale, height and mass to that considered and its overall design, fenestration and detailing do not reflect that which was approved.
‘The resulting dwelling is considered to be unlawful and as such, permitted development rights that might otherwise apply for development within the curtilage of a lawful dwelling house do not apply.
‘Therefore, the creation of the swimming pool and associated structure have been carried out without the required express planning permission.’
The Planning Inspectorate confirmed an appeal had been lodged before the September 3 deadline.