Hamilton ‘damaging area’ by felling sugar plum tree

LEWIS HAMILTON has been accused by neighbours of “destroying nature” after winning a legal battle to cut down a “beautiful” sugar plum tree.

The Formula One driver was granted permission to remove the tree and trim a magnolia at his £18million west London mansion, despite objections.

A report by Hamilton’s tree surgeon said the tree was mostly dead anyway.

Kensington and Chelsea borough council granted permission for the work despite one neighbour arguing “removal of trees like these can only be detrimental to the area”.

In a letter opposing the move, they said: “I dread to think that these beautiful trees may be removed to make space for an extension or other structures.

“The applicant should consider ways to reduce his already high carbon footprint instead of further increasing it by destroying nature.”

Another said: “I strongly advise the council to reject this frivolous application, which is without merit.”

The seven-time world champion has been involved in a number of planning battles with neighbours in recent years.

He has had a range of work carried out since he purchased the property with a 200ft-long garden five years ago.

Metal gates and a wall were constructed outside the house to “improve the character and privacy of the building”, a council report said.

Hamilton also previously won permission to trim back a horse chestnut tree, with the support of a neighbour who said it was attracting pigeons who made a mess in their garden.

Plans to demolish and replace an old summer house in Hamilton’s back garden also angered residents in 2020.

One neighbour, who had lived in the area for 20 years, claimed Hamilton, who drives for the Mercedes team, had bought the property in 2017 and had “never set foot in it”.