Star Wars Daisy defeats the Nimbys
STAR WARS actress Ridley has won a two-year battle with conservationists to turn a £1.85million derelict house into a family home.
The Force Awakens star, who plays Rey Skywalker in the franchise, had applied to transform the Grade IIlisted terraced building with a £1million upgrade, including a roof extension with rear terrace.
However, despite an earlier planning application being thrown out by the local council after objections, the proposals have now been given the green light.
The property in Camden Town, North London, had been an unlicensed Home of Multiple Occupation (HMO) divided into tiny bedsits. The building has a leaky roof, cracked walls, an overgrown garden and is deemed in ‘desperate need of restoration’.
Daisy, 30, applied to Camden Council for a rear kitchen extension following the demolition of an existing ground floor extension and two outbuildings, including internal and external restoration.
The Camden Town Conservation Area Advisory Committee warned that underpinning the subsiding property could cause ‘distress’ to neighbours’ homes and that light from the kitchen would cause ‘considerable light pollution in the rear garden area, allowing light to shine up on to the rear façade’.
They also questioned whether the upgrade would comply with measures to tackle ‘the climate emergency’ through appropriate insulation and an assessment over the use of ‘alternative energy sources’.
Daisy’s new plans – which include a separate dining and living room, a powder room, a first-floor shower and wash room and a new second floor master bedroom and master bathroom – have received a guarded welcome from the local conservation committee, which is made up of civic societies, residents’ associations and historical groups.
Officials gave the go-ahead after there were no objections from neighbours.
Planning officer Obote Hope said: ‘The size, scale, design and location of the proposed alterations are not considered to cause harm to the special architectural and historic significance of the listed building or the character of the surrounding conservation area.’
Other celebrities who live nearby include James Bond actor Daniel Craig and singer Craig David.
In a design statement, Ridley’s planning agent said: ‘The proposal seeks to sensitively refurbish and extend the property, which is currently in serious disrepair.’
Daisy, who is rumoured to be engaged to actor Tom Bateman, is the great niece of playwright and actor Arnold Ridley, who played Private Godfrey in Dad’s Army.