Owners of a £20million Belgravia townhouse have left neighbours terrified their mansions could ‘implode’ after seeking permission to build a £2million mega-basement.
The six-storey palatial home already boasts a hair salon, wine cellar, sauna, steam room and cinema.
But a mysterious offshore company that owns the listed-property has sought permission to excavate beneath it to build an underground gym and swimming pool.
Wealthy neighbours are furious at the controversial proposals describing the scheme as a ‘gratuitous vanity construction project’
With others encouraging the owners ‘not to live hermetically sealed within exclusive luxury palaces’ but to use local swimming pools instead.
Last year, Westminster Council rejected the plans after locals feared their multi-million pound homes could ‘implode’ because of structural weakening.
However, the owners of the property – purchased for £14million in 2005 – have appealed the decision, paving the way for a final showdown with the independent Planning Inspectorate.
Under plans filed with the council, the early 19th century property constructed by acclaimed builder Thomas Cubitt, and a linked mews house at the rear, would have their basements excavated to make way for the underground amenities.
The six-storey palatial home already boasts a hair salon, wine cellar, sauna, steam room and cinema
The early 19th century property and a linked mews house at the rear would have their basements excavated to make way for the underground amenities
A wine cellar would also be relocated and an existing lift extended at an estimated £2million cost.
And while mega-basements have become standard practice among some of the capital’s ultra rich homeowners – the excavations mean there is a chance the property could collapse.
One furious neighbour said: ‘[The property] is fortunate to already have a wine cellar, hair salon, gym, sauna and steam room as well as multiple kitchens and baths and four garage spaces.
‘A new wine cellar, subterranean gym, and interior pool of such length that it extends under the house and mews would not seem necessities that might merit exposure to construction risks.’
The home in Belgravia is owned by an off-shore company called Rosspark Ltd, which is registered in the British Virgin Islands and has a correspondence address in Limassol, Cyprus.
Rosspark initially succeeded in obtaining approval for the pool plan, only for Westminster councillors to overturn its officers own support.
The council ruled that the ‘excessive depth’ of the excavation went against its planning policies.
The company insisted its proposals were ‘respectful of the existing building’ and that the proposed development ‘would have no adverse impacts’ on the structural stability of the historic terrace.
In an appeal, now currently being considered, agents for Rosspark insisted: ‘Basements with swimming pools are not uncharacteristic of the buildings within the immediate surroundings of the site’.
A barrage of objections have poured in from nearby residents raising concerns about the disruptive impact of the massive excavation.
One objected saying: ‘The architects will certainly be aware that Cubitt, even with wealthy clients of his day, would not have installed an artificial lake in the basement of the six-story townhouse and its mews stables.
‘Not only would he have understood the risk which continues today of the area’s swampy marshy soil, he would have appreciated ornamental, artificial lakes would be more appropriately cited in the country seat his clients undoubtedly had and, fortunately, these applicants own.’
Pictured: Plans showing the new pool the owners plan to excavate
Pictured: The salon inside the property bought in 2005 for £14million
Pictured: The current wine cellar, which would be relocated to the new mega-basement
Pictured: The garage full of luxury cars, located in ultra-exclusive Belgravia
They added: ‘Encouraging overdevelopment through gratuitous vanity construction projects discourages renters and owners alike from locating here and using local services with any enjoyment.’
Families living nearby also raised health concerns, saying the project could worsen air quality through construction dust and vehicle emissions.
‘Our family includes three children and we are very conscious of the disturbance this will cause to their development, mental health and health’ one objection said.
Another warned of a ‘dangerous precedent’ for similar excavations, creating a ‘domino effect of structural risk’.
The Belgravia Neighbourhood Forum, meanwhile asked councillors ‘is this development really necessary?’ with the community group warning the ‘enormous excavation of earth, is likely to disrupt the peaceful enjoyment of their homes of neighbours for a considerable period of time.’
The house sits in the heart of Belgravia, one of London’s most exclusive enclaves where neighbours include some of the world’s wealthiest people.
Just a short distance away, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani – the former Prime Minister of Qatar and a member of the country’s ruling royal family – purchased nearby Forbes House and is currently developing a staggering £300million mega-mansion.
When completed, the property is expected to become London’s most expensive private home.
The area has also attracted a string of ultra-rich international buyers, including Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah, who owns a £36million property in Belgrave Square.
Ukrainian oil and gas tycoon Gennadiy Bogolyubov is among the neighbourhood’s billionaire residents after purchasing a lavish £60million, 10-bedroom villa nearby.
Westminster Council have been contacted for comment.
