A clue to my new shed, by Sherlock
BENEDICT Cumberbatch was probably hoping to be enjoying some peace and quiet in his camouflaged ‘Dad’s Army’ shed by now.
But the row over the actor’s plan for the structure at his £2.7million home means it remains on the drawing board.
Now the Sherlock star is preparing to have a ‘temporary timber frame’ built in his garden in an attempt to show his neighbours the ‘very limited impact’ the shed would have.
This emerged in the 41-year-old actor and his wife Sophie Hunter’s response to the anger that greeted revised plans for a 160sq ft art studio and playroom at their Camden home in North London.
A previous planning application was withdrawn at the end of last year and new proposals submitted to include a natural planted roof and walls with lowered eaves.
Planning agent Michael Doyle said in a letter to the council: ‘The resubmitted scheme has been substantially revised in response to [planning] officer and neighbour comments. There is a range of different sized rear garden structures in the area, some of which are substantially larger than that proposed here.’
He added: ‘A temporary timber frame will be erected on site over this weekend in order to demonstrate the size and proportions of the [proposed] shed and the very limited impact upon its setting.’
The letter comes after several residents writing to the council to object.
One neighbour, Robert Ryan, wrote: ‘I am very disappointed to see the return of this proposed structure to the front of our property. The application says the “shed” will “cast no shadow” but it will give the feeling of encroachment of the built environment, despite any attempts at camouflage.
‘I find the proposed structure to be oppressive, insensitive to the neighbours and a poor precedent for the future of our mews.’
The local residents’ association added: ‘No amount of “Dad’s Army” camouflage will mask the shape of the building against the sky.’
But Mr Doyle hit back, saying: ‘Objectors repeat the mistaken claim that the shed will extend across “almost the entire width of the rear garden”. The shed occupies only a small area of the rear garden.’
Planners at Camden Council have received eight letters of objection and are expected to make a decision later this month.