Ricky Gervais WINS battle to build a tennis court at his lavish £14.7M Hampstead mansion – despite angry protests from locals
As a lifestyle expert with years of experience navigating the complexities of urban living, I can empathize with both sides of this story. On one hand, Ricky Gervais‘ desire to enhance his home with a personal tennis court is understandable, especially considering the unique benefits it brings for exercise and recreation.
Despite local opposition, Ricky Gervais successfully constructed a tennis court for his lessons at his expensive £14.75M estate, having emerged victorious in the ensuing dispute.
The humorist is finding it challenging to redesign the backyard of his recently purchased residence in Hampstead (a conservation area), as he needs to navigate various hurdles to bring his vision to life.
Instead of adhering strictly to an eco-plan, this 63-year-old individual will be focusing on constructing several ecological habitats. These include two homes for bats, a bird nesting site, a platform for sparrows, an insect lodging (or hotel), and a dwelling for hedgehogs.
This is due to the necessity of cutting down nine significant old trees, removing three-quarters of the existing grass area, as well as a waterfall, pergola, and supporting walls.
His plans encompass a tennis court with a porous surface, and planting 13 trees and plants that encourage biodiversity and attract pollinators.
The plan document suggests that the garden will transform into a haven for wildlife, adapting beautifully with each season, offering an abundance of blooms, nectar sources, and fruits.
According to a tree report, most of the work will only be done with hand-held tools.
The council granted approval to Ricky and his spouse Jane Fallon, aged 63, as they assured that the court would primarily serve for infrequent, individual tennis tutoring sessions.
Some locals are greatly upset by these proposals primarily because they anticipate excessive noise from the tennis players and spectators, worry that the newly-planted trees won’t fully grow for several decades, and harbor concerns about potential flooding.
According to Howard Gross, it’s not fair or practical sound-wise. It won’t just be the ball or balls making noise when they are struck or bounced prior to serving; other sounds will also be present.
If machine-fired balls over the net result in a louder environment, it’s likely that players will talk, shout, or cheer among themselves. A tennis court can accommodate doubles matches involving four adults or children. Occasionally, you may find spectators present, adding to the noise with their shouts and cheers.
Alongside our boundary, there are arrangements for multiple spectators to participate in the game, without specifying exactly how many seats are available.
Without any boundary fence surrounding the court, there’s a risk that if a ball gets mishit, it might end up landing in our yard or our neighbor’s property.
‘We will not have peaceful enjoyment of our garden and house whilst the court is in use.’
Additionally, Mr. Gross expressed concerns that the court might transform into a small soccer field, mentioning that once the net is taken off, the porous surface could potentially serve as a venue for five-a-side soccer or various other sports.
Although Ricky had obtained approval from the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust for his plans, Mr. Gross still asserted that the trust was being dishonest.
The application for planning mentions that the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust has communicated with nearby residents regarding their proposals.
‘This is factually incorrect. They did not consult us or as far as we are aware,’ says Mr Gross.
I exclaim: “Continuously working on the noisy drilling all day long, not even taking a moment’s peace during lunchtime, indicates that the term ‘soft landscaping’ might be deceiving.
Disregarding the environmental protection policies by cutting down healthy, fully grown trees for personal ease or benefit, is a neglectful action.
As a devoted admirer, I couldn’t help but voice my concerns too, echoing Steve Martin’s sentiments: “The imminent loss of numerous ancient, breathtaking trees that have graced this garden for decades, with some towering over 20 meters high.
Although a new planting scheme has been proposed, it’ll take around 20-30 years for the trees to reach the same level of maturity as they are now.
As a passionate admirer, I can’t help but marvel at these towering, valued trees that grace our conservation area. They play a crucial role in defining its unique charm and aesthetics.
But planning manager Lesley Feldman dismissed any concerns about the tennis court.
According to the submitted document, it’s clear that this isn’t going to be a typical commercial tennis court. Instead, the aim of the applicant is to offer personalized tennis coaching sessions.
In terms of home-based tasks, it’s unlikely that any significant noise problems will occur when putting this into practice.
‘Other matters referred to by objectors, such as stray tennis balls and ‘spectators’, again fall under civil matters and should not be considered planning issues.’
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2024-09-24 21:21