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Radio 1 DJ's basement plan angers neighbours
Peter Dominiczak22.04.09
NEIGHBOURS of Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman are furious after she and partner Tom Smith, who fronts the band Editors, won planning permission to excavate beneath her house and build a basement.
They claim the work could affect a water course under the road as well as the structural integrity of their homes in the street near Hampstead Heath.
One opponent is former Panorama journalist Richard Lindley, 73, who lives opposite the BBC presenter in Gospel Oak.
He said: "There is a water course running under the road beneath us and there was terrible flooding in the 1970s. People are concerned about the effects any deep excavation could have."
One of Bowman's close neighbours, who does not want to be identified, said she was concerned that any excavation work could affect the foundations of her own home.
She said: "We only learned about this a week ago through the local paper.
"We are concerned about the structural integrity of the houses here. I have made a formal objection along with three or four other people."
Bowman, who has a 10-month-old son, Rudy, wants to stay in the street, which is close to Hampstead Heath, but says she needs more space.
She tried to buy next door neighbour Susan Wright's house last year, but Mrs Wright refused her offer and soon afterwards the application for a basement was drawn up. It is believed the DJ wants to turn the extra space into a games room and a studio.
Her spokesman, Jonathan Hackford, said: "With a young family, she would like more space. She would not do anything that compromises the architectural integrity of her home or that of her neighbours."
Reader views (12)
Living in Hampstead myself I know how awful these basement additions are. They go on for months and the noise, dirt and disruption is awful. I hope to move soon - driven out by constant huge house renovations which has made life in this part of London unbearable.
- Sandra, London UK
As was reported a while ago Matthew Wright has endured this misery and it almost drove him mad.
Why do people with 1.2 children feel the need for "more room" and need studios etc in the basement. Move to a proper sized family home.
- Jackie, Surrey
Not surprised the neighbours are upset! No doubt the loony Local Authority happily passed plans for a few quid without actually consulting anyone who knows what the effects of mining holes underneath old houses could have on the local residents and whether there would be significant movements / changes to the underground water table etc. Having personally had to live through the refurbishment of the restaurant below my flat for 6 months, I cannot stress how disturbing and intrusive the noise and works were and these also left cracks and worrying shifts in the walls and ceilings of my flat (built in 1890). I'm just sitting here wondering which day the ceiling is going to fall down. Fortunately, I only rent.
- Real, London
Annabelleac - It's already been mentioned the council had received an application a while back. What makes you think they wouldn't have followed standard protocol for this?!
- Jonathan, London
Be worried dear neighbours - our neighbours are currently excavating their basement. In addition to the noise levels - unbearable to stay in the house during the day - our house is on the move - monster cracks everywhere and doors that will not shut and this is only a small way into the work. Builders who tell little porkies and say that we are being protected via underpinning which has not yet started.
Beware - take pictures and have a good Party Wall Surveyor.
Best of luck!
- Sarah, London
If she wants more room, why doesn't she move instead of disrupting her neightbours?!?
- Sarah, Enfield
The neighbours should have been consulted by the planning people & allowed to submit objections. If there has been no consultation the neighbours could challenge planning permission on that ground. Good luck to them!
- Annabelleac, london
Poor Edith, what a bunch of miserable kill joys her neighbours are!
I'm sure the application wouldn't have been approved had there been any risk?
Some people have nothing better to do than moan and knock - get a life people!
- Wendy K, London
And the bricks came tumbling down !!
- Nick Holland, glasgow
"partner Tom Smith, who fronts the band Editors"
That would explain why she constantly played their music on the radio when they were trying to get a break...
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
I would have thought the person who should be most worried about the water course would be Bowman - she's the one digging a basement. Indoor pool anyone?
- Paul, London
So she needs more space but intends to use it for a games room and a studio? Seriously? She doesn't need more space, she just needs to get a grip.
- Louise, Essex
