Morning:
5°c
Residents hit Arsenal tycoon Alisher Usmanov's pool plans
Terry Kirby5 Feb 2010
Russian billionaire and Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov was today facing a battle with conservationists over plans to build a Roman-style bathing complex in the garden of his £50 million Hampstead home.
According to plans submitted to Camden council, Mr Usmanov wants to create a massive garden villa — complete with 25-metre pool, sauna, gym and changing rooms — in the 12-acre grounds of the main house, Beechwood, a Grade II listed Regency building in Hampstead Lane.
But the move has raised fears among conservationists who fear the development could set a “dangerous precedent” and are warning the oligarch he faces a battle to gets his plans through.
Beechwood overlooks Hampstead Heath and an area of allotments at Fitzroy Park, while the entire site is designated Metropolitan Open Land, the urban equivalent of green belt.
The Highgate Society — a local conservation group — will meet next week to discuss the proposals.
Michael Hammerson, its planning spokesman, said: “It seems to be very large and may well be overdevelopment and, as it backs on to Hampstead Heath, could set a dangerous precedent.
“Beechwood is ... virtually unchanged on the exterior. Any development which detracts from its setting would be unacceptable and we will be alert to see if it is one of these ghastly mock-classical designs which seem all the rage around the heath with people who seem to believe that big money automatically means good design sense.”
Mr Usmanov reportedly paid £50 million in 2008 for the villa, built in 1838. The new complex would replace an unused open-air swimming pool, the legacy of a previous owner, which, according to the planning application “is not fitting to the needs of modern day luxury homes”.
The architects say the internal look of the pool area would be “domed and vaulted” in keeping with the “space of the Roman baths” with a balcony and “tympanum” — a semi-circular Romanesque arch.
Externally, the new building would be designed to fit with the original concept of having a “romantic” parkland atmosphere in the garden, according to the application.
“One of the key design goals for the project is the rejuvenation of the partially lost character of the Regency villa.”
Martin Ashley, the architects, declined to comment. No date has been set for it to be discussed by council planners. Camden said a decision would need to be made by 15 March, when the planning application expired.
Reader views (2)
If the sketch shown is anything to go by then it looks perfectly in keeping with the area, what's the problem?
Couldn't be a hint of the old green-eyed jealousy monster rearing it's ugly head could it?
"...we will be alert to see if it is one of these ghastly mock-classical designs...". He might also want to switch his 'pompous & patronising' radar on while he's at it.
- John, London, 05/02/2010 23:15
Report abuse
And the problem is??? Planning laws are far too restrictive and we all can not live in some form of cultural constipation. We should be able to build and adapt homes to fit in with our current needs, not keep harking back to the buildings of 100, 200+ years ago. Yes, buildings should be preserved - grade 1 (and then not all of them) grade 2 should be dropped, as should some conversation areas.
- Very Angry At Mp'S Expenses, Home Counties, 05/02/2010 15:51
Report abuse
