Large underground wardrobe plan riles Google executive’s famous neighbours

A Google executive is embroiled in a row with her celebrity neighbours over plans to build an underground wardrobe for her summer clothes.

Diana Layfield has been at loggerheads with residents including Piers Morgan and his wife, Telegraph columnist Celia Walden, over the basement plans for years.

Ms Layfield, vice-president of Google’s Next Billion Users team, was given the go-ahead for a basement with underground walk-in wardrobe and cycle store in December 2015.

She made two follow-up planning applications to extend the space, although one was refused and the other withdrawn. She has now returned with a fresh request for another 150 sq ft, according to the Evening Standard.

Some 23 neighbours, including Mr Morgan, 52, have lodged official objections with Kensington and Chelsea council.

The Good Morning Britain host said: “The council should be upholding the policy laid down and refusing the new application.”

The plan has been recommended for approval on Tuesday. Kevin O’connor, managing director for Cranbrook Basements, agent for Ms Layfield, said: “This scheme for a domestic household is for a young family whose needs will have changed since the original consent.”