A multi-millionaire industrialist has won a battle to extend his £30 million London home with a two-storey underground development containing a 50ft swimming pool, gym and cinema.
The Daimler-Benz heir Gert-Rudolph “Muck” Flick had faced fierce opposition from his well-heeled neighbours, led by cellist Julian Lloyd Webber.
Critics branded the three-year project for the house near Onslow Square, South Kensington, “entirely selfish”.
Other nearby residents include Queen Noor of Jordan, JCB tycoon Sir Anthony Bamford and jeweller John Asprey.
The plans drawn up by Mr Flick, 68, and his third wife, German sweets heiress Corinne, 46, include two rooms to house clothes — one for winter wear, the other for summer — and a luggage store. There will also be a beauty and treatment room, steam room and passenger lift.
The couple incurred the wrath of Onslow Square residents, who said the huge construction work — which involves digging a 30ft hole and demolishing part of the Georgian property — will be unbearable because of noise and disruption.
A campaign was launched to stop the subterranean development being given the go-ahead, with 55 people sending formal objections to Kensington and Chelsea council. But it failed yesterday when permission was granted at a meeting of the planning committee, meaning work can now begin.
Mr Lloyd Webber, who has lived in South Kensington all his life and is president of the Onslow neighbourhood association, vowed to fight on.
He said: “There will be massive disruption and havoc in the whole area for goodness knows how long. The council should protect its residents but if it can grant permission for this, one of the oldest houses in that area of London, it seems nothing is sacred.
“When people realise what this is going to mean there will be continued protests. This is not the end.”
Onslow Square resident George Barbour called the project “tasteless” and “environmentally hazardous”, adding: “I’m appalled by the council’s decision — but not surprised, as it’s always riding roughshod over residents’ views.”
Planning officers reported that the development would appear as “visually discreet additions” to the house and would “preserve the character and appearance” of the conservation area.
Read More
Mr Flick — the latest in a string of tycoons to propose a massive underground property extension — was not available for comment.
