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Property tycoon faces wrath of his Chelsea neighbours over giant trees craned in to block view of wife sunbathing
AS THEY built up their multibillion-pound property empire, the Candy brothers made their fair share of enemies.
Now elder sibling Nick has caused controversy a lot closer to home by enraging neighbours of his £75 million West London mansion.
They are furious that he has planted a 40ft hedge around the property, complaining that it blocks out their light and ruins their views.
But the tycoon says the wall of foliage is needed to protect the privacy of his wife – actress, singer and model Holly Valance – when she sunbathes next to a swimming pool in the four-acre grounds of Gordon House.
Candy, 44, has ordered major work on the historic Georgian building in the heart of Chelsea, including what is thought to be Britain’s largest basement development to add an underground pool, jacuzzi, sauna, dance studio, cinema and 60ft bowling alley.
But locals, who include supermarket heir Alex Sainsbury, claim the multi-millionaire developer ‘bulldozed’ his way through the planning process. They have appealed to local MP Greg Hands to get permission for the work overturned.
As well as the 15 trees, which were delivered by crane, neighbours also claim that floodlights have been used to undertake building work at night.
Artist Caroline Holmes, who lives on a second- floor flat adjoining
Locals are ‘virtually entombed by darkness’
Candy’s land, said: ‘Nick is ignoring the welfare of residents. Many of my neighbours on the lower floors are elderly and not able to get out much. I feel so bad for them – they are virtually entombed. They have darkness by day and the Blackpool Illuminations at night.
‘It is so unnecessary as there is ample room for the trees to be planted away from our borders. This would give the Candys far more privacy while protecting our right to light.’
Dr Margaret Thompson, secretary of the local residents’ association, complained of a ‘pre-emptive attempt to screen out the views of residents’, and Grace Wort, a former director of ChildAid, added: ‘I am furious with his disregard for his neighbours’ property. He must stop this intrusion into our lives.’
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said Candy told a group of residents that he had concerns about guarding his wife’s privacy from paparazzi as she sunbathed by the pool.
Former Neighbours star Holly, 34 has just given birth to the couple’s second child, a daughter named Nova Skye Coco.
Candy bought Gordon House from The Royal Hospital on a long lease in 2013.
He and his brother Christian are behind high-profile London developments, including One Hyde Park, a block of some of the world’s most expensive flats.
They are now embroiled in a bitter court case over a £12 million loan to businessman Mark Holyoake, which has led to allegations of tax evasion and intimidation, all of which they vehemently deny. A spokesman for the Candys said: ‘Full and legal planning permissions were sought and obtained and have been abided by in full.
‘The trees have been positioned simply to allow the owner’s young children some privacy from the 98 neighbours’ windows that overlook the garden. There are no nocturnal floodlights switched on as this would also prevent the family sleeping.’