Attenborough’s son at war with TV host Theakston over plans for house in garden
THE well-heeled neighbours of TV and radio host Jamie Theakston are at war with him over his plans to build a four-bedroom house at the bottom of his garden.
Leading the protests is the son of the late film director Richard Attenborough, Michael, who said he may leave his home of 30 years if the plan goes ahead.
The Heart FM presenter’s £6.5million home in a conservation area in Chiswick, west London, backs on to Mr Attenborough’s, meaning the new house would sit alongside it. The plans have been met with outrage by more than 20 residents – almost the entire population of the street.
Mr Attenborough, 68, said: ‘Our house looks out over wonderful greenery and trees. If this new house is built, all that will disappear. We will have loss of light and privacy, but feel there is just going to be a negative impact on our street.’
He added: ‘Mr Theakston has told me he wants to build the house and sell it for as much as possible, but I don’t think he has considered the impact on his neighbours.’
The house, which would be worth around £2.5million, would have four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a utility area and bike storage, as well as off-street parking.
Neighbours have complained to Hounslow Council’s planning department, citing loss of trees in Theakston’s garden and the disruption that construction would cause in the quiet one-way street.
They have also objected to the destruction of a Victorian coach house at the foot of his 120ft L- shaped garden, saying it would be ‘cultural vandalism’.
Mr Attenborough, a former theatre director, said: ‘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 any more. What I don’t understand is why he moved to a conservation area and then sets about wanting to change things.’
Theakston, 47, a father-of-two who married jeweller Sophie Siegle in 2007, said: ‘I fully support our neighbours’ right to appeal and we have ensured that throughout the process all of their concerns have been addressed. The plans have been constantly adapted to accommodate these.’
The broadcaster, who was a prominent face on TV as presenter of Top of the Pops from 1998 to 2003, bought his five-bedroom home for £3.8million in 2010.
After an ambitious renovation project, he put it up for sale at £6.5million, but there were no takers. He took it off the market and submitted new plans for a gym and indoor pool area in place of the coach house, but these were rejected by the council.
Now Theakston has submitted a new application to build the four-bedroom house. It is not believed any of the trees in his garden are covered by a preservation order that would prevent them being cut down.
Architects’ drawings show that Theakston’s new detached home would mirror that of Mr Attenborough in style and size.
Many of the objectors will attend a planning meeting this week when the council will consider the case and make a ruling.