A celebrity interior designer who fell out with a millionaire neighbour over sunbathing in her bikini is selling up the waterfront mansion that was at the centre of the row.
Celia Sawyer, who is dubbed Mrs Bling, is selling the luxury three-storey property overlooking Poole Harbour in Dorset for £4 million.
She bought it with husband Nick for £2.4m in 2007 and during their time there the couple have added over £1m to the value by giving it a stunning makeover worthy of one from one of her TV shows.
The couple have listed the four-bedroom property on the market following a planning row they became embroiled in with their neighbour.
In 2020 they had a 21ft by 15ft sunroom with a bar built at the bottom of their beach-themed back garden.
But they didn’t have planning permission for the building and faced the prospect of knocking it down after a neighbour complained.
The celebrity interior designer spoke out after she said ‘jealous’ neighbour Neil Kennedy tried to get a luxury sunroom at the bottom of her garden torn down.
Celia told how the pair fell out after Mr Kennedy ‘illegally’ built a balcony which she says meant he could peer into her garden leaving her feeling uncomfortable when she was lounging around in her swimwear.
Celia Sawyer (pictured), who is dubbed Mrs Bling, is selling the luxury three storey property overlooking Poole Harbour in Dorset for £4 million
Pictured: Celia Sawyer’s property (white) and Neil Kennedy’s property (red)
Celia was quizzed by the council over the 21ft by 15ft glass building with retractable roof that was built in 2020 on decking alongside a small sandy ‘beach’ with sun loungers
Mr Kennedy was forced to put in retrospective applications after Celia lodged a formal complaint over the ‘disgraceful’ breach of planning rules.
But she was later left stunned when the row escalated and officials turned their attention to her property.
The Sawyers were granted retrospective planning permission to keep it last September.
After winning a fight to keep the £50,000 glass structure Celia, 58, told MailOnline: ‘I’m not going to let him stop me sunbathing in my bikini.
‘We’ve worked very hard to buy a house like this. It’s all been very silly – it’s tit for tat.
‘I’m relieved and very, very pleased. I’m just glad that the council did the right thing.
Celia and her husband have a home in Barbados and it is thought they now plan to spend more time there.
The estate agents selling the four bedroom home point out that the property is a short walk to yacht clubs and restaurants on the Sandbanks peninsula.
One of those eateries in the posh Rick Stein restaurant where Celia became involved in an awkward incident in 2017.
Pictured: Celia’s luxury sunroom which ‘jealous’ neighbour Mr Kennedy tried to get torn down
Celia previously said the area involved in the dispute is ‘not a place for living in or sleeping in – it’s a place for sunbathing and entertaining’
The balcony (highlighted) in Mr Kennedy’s home he was forced to put in retrospective applications after Celia lodged a formal complaint over the breach of planning rules
Celia was the star of Channel 4’s Four Rooms and the BBC’s Your Home In Their Hands
She had been seen having drinks with a local property developer shortly before he was filmed hurling a stool across the bar, smashing glasses and bottles.
Celia was the star of Channel 4’s Four Rooms and the BBC’s Your Home In Their Hands.
She has been hired by Sandbanks residents to transform the interiors of their luxury homes.
Her property is on The Horseshoe which is situated on the quieter northern side of the millionaire’s playground.
It is being sold by Sandbanks estate agents Luxury & Prestige.
A spokesperson said: ‘The Horseshoe is a small and exclusive enclave of Sandbanks, tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac and the houses are amongst a select few which can claim to have private sand at the bottom of the garden adjoining the beach.
‘Although relatively compact the property has, in our opinion, one of the best positions in the road with a simply stunning view of Poole Harbour which lays claim to amazing sunsets and an unusually animated seascape thanks to the paddle boarders, wind surfers and boats of all shapes and sizes which frequent the harbour.
‘There’s an extensive private sun terrace directly outside the house but at the bottom of the garden near the beach and waters edge there’s a specially constructed contemporary pavilion complete with retractable roof and a bar.’
The house has 2,700 square feet of living space with four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
