KATE WINSLET and her husband, the excitingly named Ned RocknRoll, are embroiled in a planning dispute. They want to build a 600ft sea wall to protect their waterfront home in West Wittering. Natural England, the governmental body that advises on the environment, objects, claiming that it could affect wildlife.

However, Ms Winslet and Mr RocknRoll might yet have to deal with a far more formidable opponent than Natural England. They live just a stone’s throw away from Keith Richards, a man with a pretty good claim on the title Mr Rock ’n’ Roll.

The guitarist has had a home in West Wittering for half a century. His moated mansion was the scene of the notorious drugs raid in 1967 when he and Mick Jagger were both arrested. Once the very model of rakish dissolution, Mr Richards cuts a far more respectable figure these days – if not exactly conservative he is, at least, a conservationist.

Last month he lodged an

Neighbours: Kate Winslet and Keith Richards

objection against a planned £1.5 million restaurant earmarked for the beachfront near his home, telling the planning authorities: “It spoils the natural beauty and seclusion of the beach. It dominates the area and degrades its character. The restaurant threatens the environment and locals. It cannot be allowed.” He has in the past described West Wittering as “God’s little acre”, saying: “I love that village and they’ve always been smooth with me.”

In 1999, he gave £20,000 to repair the village hall roof. His views on the plans of Ms Winslet and Mr Rocknroll are not known. He might decide that they have every right to say ‘‘Gimme shelter’’, and to take steps to ensure that their house does not fade away. Or he might display a heart of stone and decide that you can’t always get what you want...