Rock star makes waves with AC units at seaside mansion
DAVID GILMOUR, the Pink Floyd guitarist, is in a new planning row with his neighbours after they complained that air conditioning at his seaside mansion would drown out the sound of the sea.
Gilmour, 73, and his wife Polly Samson, 54, submitted plans for air-conditioning at the three-storey home they are having built. Three years ago residents objected to Gilmour demolishing a 122-year-old bathhouse on the site.
Under the latest plans submitted to the council, he wanted three air conditioning units installed at the £2 million home in Hove, East Sussex.
One neighbour told Brighton and Hove City Council: “I am deeply worried about the levels of noise pollution we may have to endure – and how detrimental this will be to the lives of all our neighbours. It is utterly unacceptable to inflict undue and unnecessary noise into the environment of an otherwise peaceful and quiet area.
“One of the greatest joys we all enjoy living so close to the sea is the sound of the waves breaking on the beach. Will this now be masked by a constant and metallic hum?”
However, the council approved the application, with planning officers reporting: “The units will be located towards the southern end of the roof and will include an acoustic wall lining to prevent sound reflecting and travelling across to neighbouring properties.
“These units will be in operation all the time. The noise report on the proposed condenser units has been fully assessed by the council’s environmental health team. The scheme of sound mitigation measures is considered acceptable and compliant with policy when the condensers are in operation.”
Other plans – including a wine cellar and removing solar panels – received no objections and were approved.
The site, which boasts sea views, was once a bathhouse and was acquired reportedly for £1million. It also served as a makeshift hospital during the Second World War.
The new house includes a dining room and hall, a large kitchen, a study, library, snug, gym and five bedrooms.
The mansion will also have a courtyard garden with a 7ft-high glass canopy around its perimeter.