Building ‘dream home’ a nightmare for South End Green neighbours

Published: 05 August, 2010
by DAN CARRIER

TO the owners, it is a solution that means their dream of turning a rambling Victorian house in Belsize Park into a luxury family home could finally become a reality.

But for people who live in Estelle Road, in South End Green, this “solution” simply creates more problems. 

In July 2007, Natalie and Richard Jones bought a four-storey property in Belsize Park Gardens. 

They submitted plans to Camden Council to turn the property into a family home – but Camden blocked the move, as it would have meant losing bedsits that the building contained.

Now, following the advice of council officers, the family have bought another house in South End Green – and have applied to turn it into a series of studio flats to replace the units that would be lost in converting the original property.

It emerged this week that the Town Hall have recommended the scheme be waved through without going before the planning committee – but a series of objections to the planning application have been lodged at the Town Hall by Estelle Road residents. 

The designs submitted at the Town Hall include a new basement and creating space for 15 people in the Victorian terraced house.

Estelle Road resident Martin Mills said the street could not handle a scheme of this type.

He said: “Residents in the area are extremely annoyed by these proposals. They simply feel these houses are not designed to accommodate up to 16 people, and [the scheme] will also put an intolerable burden on the resources of the road.

“The development of the house and the basement excavation would mean months of dirty, disruption and noise pollution. We want these proposals thrown out.”

A spokesman for architectural firm Coupdeville, who are behind the plans, said they had forwarded the concerns of neighbours on to the owners but they had yet to respond. 

The spokesman added: “There is always a need for more accommodation in London, which is rarely looked upon favourably by residents. 

“As architects with considerable design integrity we look to fulfill our briefs in as sympathetic a manner as possible. We are not in the business of creating monstrosities for financial gain.  

“In this case there is no visual deformation of the house in comparison to others on the street and to this end we have found what we deem to be the best possible solution to the brief. 

“I am fairly sure not every house on the road is a single dwelling either – hence the planners recommendation for approval.”