DJ’S 12-month build plans anger locals
PLANS by DJ Jamie Theakston to build a four-bedroom house, worth up to £2.5million, in his garden will cause his wealthy neighbours at least a year of disruption, documents reveal.
Last year the Heart FM radio presenter won a bitter planning battle with residents, which was led by Michael Attenborough, the son of late film director Richard.
Plans posted online and seen by the Sunday Express show the scale of the building works expected to be carried out over the next 12 months at the address in leafy Chiswick, west London.
The documents state there will be up to five 18-ton skip visits a day for the first four weeks of the works, along with many other deliveries.
The much sought after conservation area is favoured by many celebrities, including Ant and Dec, former Drwho Davidtennant and TV presenter Claire Balding. Hounslow Council has given Theakston permission to build a four-bedroom, three-bathroom property, with utility area, cycle storage and off-street parking at the bottom of his 120ft garden at his £6.5million home.
Residents who objected to the development have described it as trying to “shoehorn a grossly excessive development” into a corner of his garden.
Mr Attenborough will be most affected as it will be built next to the semi-detached house he shares with his wife Karen. To clear the garden for the property avictorian coach house will be demolished and eight trees cut down.
Last year the former theatre director, who now teaches at the drama school RADA, spoke of his distress at Theakston’s plans. He said: “If it goes ahead we will seriously have to consider leaving.”
He also described how his uncle, David Attenborough, the celebrated broadcaster and natural historian, had praised his garden and outlook during a visit.
The 93-year-old had told other guests, “Isn’t it lovely” before he heard of Theakston’s plans to cut down trees to build a house on the other side of the fence.
One local said yesterday: “I am so disappointed in Hounslow Council for allowing all these trees to be taken down in a conservation area and not to have made a stipulation that the property developer replace them. That is where much of the blame lies.” Documents uploaded online by ADL Planning Limited of Merseyside show an anticipated start date of July 2019 and completion date as July 2020.
The planning documents also state a flat bed truck will deliver steelwork and construction material between two and three times a day at the start of the project.
A transit van will deliver equipment between four and five times a day.there will also be a concrete mixer situated on the site. In a bid to minimise any complaints from neighbours, they also state plans were in place to offset the risk of spillages, noise and vibration, dust and other environmental impacts.
Theakston, 47, made his name as a presenter on BBC children’s TV show Live & Kicking but is also a successful property developer in his spare time.
Reports show the married father-of-two started off 25 years ago in a £58,000 flat before amassing a £10million property portfolio. His representatives did not respond to a request for comment.
‘It is grossly excessive’