Is Jonathan Ross right to fight 185 new homes he fears will look into his bedroom? Or is this second homeowner a spoilt showbiz NIMBY who will make things worse for locals?
As a long-time resident of Swanage, I cannot help but feel a sense of nostalgia as I read about the proposed development near Jonathan Ross‘s beloved home. Having lived in this quaint town for over three decades, I have witnessed its transformation from a tranquil coastal village to a bustling hotspot, largely due to second-home owners like Mr. Ross himself.
Similar to many individuals in the limelight, Jonathan Ross places a high value on privacy. Encircling his Grade II listed farmhouse, purchased for £1.1 million in 2005, are tall yew and cypress trees. This secluded property is located in the picturesque seaside town of Swanage, Dorset.
In a quiet, leafy residential area, nestled at the dead-end of a narrow, one-lane path, stands a grand property dating back to the 16th Century, which can only be reached through an impressive wooden gate.
The property boasts approximately six acres of land, featuring a private orchard, stables, a duck pond, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a gym located within a converted cattle barn.
According to locals, the TV host, who is 64 years old, and his screenwriter spouse Jane Goldman, aged 54, don’t spend the entire year in this location.
In essence, they consider this place as a secondary residence. They primarily reside in Hampstead, North London, which happens to be where their three adult children, Honey, Betty, and Harvey, live. When they seek a reprieve from the urban chaos, they retreat to the South Coast.
Dave Mutter, a retired ferryman living with his wife Sandie in a desirable location, notes that the Rosses are seldom encountered, primarily during the summer months.
But the couple’s coastal haven, it seems, is under threat.
A property situated next to the Ross estate is currently on the market, boasting prior planning consent for the construction of 92 houses. Some of these dwellings may be designated as affordable housing units.
The latest report reveals a proposed expansion with 93 additional homes, located adjacent to the presenter’s property as well, increasing the total suggested number of new constructions bordering his land to 185.
Initially serving as a tranquil hideaway along the Jurassic Coast, it might transform into a residential area surrounded by houses, assuming the proposed plans are executed.
Among over fifty individuals, Ross lodged passionate protests against the earlier development proposal submitted in July, stating that any construction would cause significant distress to his family.
In a letter posted online by Dorset Council, he stated: “There are rooms in our building that overlook the potential construction site… Furthermore, we express our worries regarding the alteration of the neighborhood’s character due to numerous new housing units nearby, as well as the resulting effects on traffic and community resources.
On numerous occasions, we’ve been contacted by developers interested in purchasing our land with the same objective. However, we decline these offers due to our awareness of the broader community’s potential impact.
Additionally, other locals echo similar worries about the proposed sale of the £5million, 4.4-acre property. They’ve raised objections on various topics, such as noise levels, increased traffic, gridlock, and potentially overwhelming the local sewage infrastructure.
But there are others who staunchly support the plans.
Last week, as reported by The Mail on Sunday, there’s a sense among many that it seems rather ironic for Jonathan Ross, who is worth around £28million and owns one of the more expensive properties in the area, to oppose the construction of new homes. This is especially so when local families are finding it hard to afford houses and climb the property ladder.
38-year-old engineering mechanic Robert Lansing, along with his wife Mandy and their two kids, had no choice but to relocate from Swanage to the adjacent town of Wareham due to escalating property costs.
He says new-builds are sorely needed in the area – for young families just like theirs.
His opinions align with those of the Labour administration, advocating for the construction of approximately 1.5 million new homes nationwide.
On Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer pledged to prevent houses and infrastructure from being held hostage by Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) activists and environmentalists. Criticizing the obstacles and red tape he believes have stifled economic growth and made home ownership unattainable, the Prime Minister announced his intention to overhaul Britain’s ‘unfavorable’ planning system.
Mr. Lansing expressed his willingness to endorse proposals for constructing new residences in the Swanage region, as long as such development enables his family to return to their birthplace.
He explained: ‘We are desperate to move back, if only we could find something we can cope with financially. Jonathan Ross obviously hasn’t got that problem, and just wants to maintain his little bit of heaven in Dorset.’
Mr Lansing and his family aren’t the only locals who feel this way.
As a lifestyle expert, I find myself often reflecting on our rapidly aging population. This reality means that care workers like myself will be increasingly essential, yet the exorbitant costs of living are forcing me to contemplate sacrifices that pull me away from my beloved family and friends. The inability to afford housing in this area is a struggle I face daily.
Deborah Price, a 39-year-old shop assistant who is currently renting with her husband while they save for a house deposit, expressed her concern to the MoS about the lack of affordable starter homes for families. She found it disheartening to observe that the possibility of purchasing a home in town was becoming increasingly difficult as time passed.
Over the past several decades, places like Swanage, initially a bustling coastal town on the Isle of Purbeck, have undergone significant transformations for individuals such as Ms Price.
Initially, it was a tranquil expanse of solitude: a 60-square-mile stretch of picturesque chalk hills, nestled between Poole Harbor and the English Channel, boasting stunning vistas of the Isle of Wight.
However, over the past few years, London’s affluent residents, growing tired of the Cotswolds and unable to afford Sandbanks properties, have been moving en masse to this area. This influx has increased demand and caused house prices to continually rise.
Currently, the typical cost of a home in Swanage, as reported by property site Zoopla, stands at approximately £508,220. This figure is almost twice the nationwide average house price of £267,200.
In today’s market, luxury homes are plentiful, and even ordinary houses carry high prices. For instance, a three-bedroom standalone bungalow is currently listed at an astonishing £2.85 million.
Owners of secondary residences, like the Ross family, have faced criticism as contributors to changes within the town, prompting some locals to advocate for a prohibition of vacation rentals. The recent government-imposed council tax surcharge on second home owners, set to be enforced starting next April, has also been met with approval.
Jonathan Ross and his wife have been regular visitors to Dorset since the 1980s.
In 2005, when the farmhouse that they had been interested in for some time went up for sale, they made the decision to purchase it.
1) People around town affectionately called him “Swanage’s Knight.” At first, it was a bit surprising when he and his wife, with her fiery red locks, were seen in our community.
As a die-hard admirer, I couldn’t help but notice the fresh face in our community. He seemed determined to win us over, often seen at the local Anchor Inn, engaging in friendly banter with neighbors during our daily strolls with the dogs, and even taking the time to introduce himself to fellow allotment owners from across the fence.
2006 marked the year he had been residing there for a while. When it came time to get approval for transforming a portion of his home into a fitness center and tennis court, he relied on the support of his neighbors.
They duly obliged – and the plans went through.
Currently, despite spending much of the year in London, he actively participates in local events by sponsoring them with his name and substantial contributions. Specifically, he supports the annual regatta and carnival week.
Landscape gardener Michael Rutter, aged 56, mentions that it’s refreshing compared to urban residents who don’t care about joining the community; instead, Ross seemed to desire involvement in the local environment.
This week, the presenter couldn’t be reached for a comment, and it seemed like he wasn’t living at his house in Swanage.
However, if residents who find it difficult to buy properties are in favor of these proposals, neighbors appreciate Jonathan’s vocal opposition, as they share concerns about traffic congestion, overcrowded schools, and strained local amenities.
According to Simon Chester, a resident from the area, everyone seems to be frustrated about this matter, and indeed, Jonathan Ross is correct in speaking out and demanding it should stop. (Simon Chester, aged 59, expressed this viewpoint to The Mail on Sunday.)
He says there are already long waiting lists for NHS doctors and dentists in the area.
If they continue to construct more homes up there without increasing the number of doctors and dental clinics, the situation is likely to deteriorate further,” he points out.
Representatives from property consultant Montagu Evans, who facilitated the sale of the site, and Mountford Pigott Architects, responsible for designing the development plans, failed to provide comments when contacted.
The property was put on the market just last month, and once it’s sold, the new owner gets to make the final decisions regarding its future use.
One imagines Jonathan Ross, as well as the rest of the town, will be eagerly waiting to find out.
Ultimately, due to his financial resources, the Squire of Swanage won’t suffer as severely as other members of the community when faced with hardship.
place if he doesn’t like what is going on,’ says retired ferryman Dave Mutter.
‘We are all stuck here and have to live with the consequences.’
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2024-12-07 20:49