Oasis front man Liam Gallagher has recently submitted a planning application for significant renovations to his £4million property in Highgate – sparking controversy.
The application includes the construction of a new boundary wall, entrance gates, a swimming pool, and a pool plant. However, these plans have been met with resistance from local conservationists.
Gallagher’s proposal aims to enhance the security and privacy of his mock Tudor residence.
The existing setup, as per his planning agent’s comments to the Daily Mail, fails to offer the necessary levels of security.
Michael Hammerson, representing The Highgate Society, has formally objected to the plans, arguing that the changes would detract from the neighborhood’s open and green character.
Mr. Hammerson emphasised that the proposed wall and gate would disrupt the street’s current aesthetic, setting a potentially harmful precedent for future developments.
He said: ‘The existing open and green front boundary is integral to the current street scene, and it would create a most unfortunate precedent – which would be applicable throughout the entire Neighbourhood Plan area – if the changes proposed to the front boundary were to be approved.’
Hammerson’s objection highlighted the proximity of Gallagher’s property to the ancient woodland of Highgate Wood, stressing that the plans do not adequately consider the context of the area.
Additionally, the society questioned the necessity of the proposed enhancements, labeling the need for increased privacy and security as ‘irrelevant.’
Gallagher proposed plans also include a swimming pool, which the council fears could impact a nearby property and the water table.
One adjacent property, a listed building originally constructed for the 1924 Wembley Exhibition and later relocated to Highgate, could be particularly affected.
In his application, Gallagher pointed out that many homes in the vicinity already feature swimming pools.
Haringey Council’s planning committee will review Gallagher’s application and the objections raised by The Highgate Society at a future date.
Highgate, a leafy and affluent part of North London, is known for its strict planning permissions given the historic significance of the area.