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Will underground fad cost the earth?
Calls for action as home-owners dig downwards
A spiralling number of home-owners who want to expand their properties by digging underground has prompted calls for legislation.
Sub-basements with private leisure centres and offices have become the latest must-have accessory for the mega-rich. Kensington and Chelsea Council was inundated with so many applications that it has put in place new guidelines for planning officers, following fears that the works could destabilise neighbouring buildings.
And as the idea of expanding homes downwards becomes increasingly popular in Camden, the Heath and Hampstead Society is calling on the Town Hall to follow its lead.
The society’s town committee chairman, Gordon Maclean, wants construction works to include a comprehensive soil and ground water survey covering a 500-metre zone around any basement.
Mr Maclean said: “The effects of these are serious, causing damage to buildings, ground water, subsoil and trees.”
Two weeks ago, the New Journal reported on plans by a Dartmouth Park family to dig out a room to house a gym, wine cellar and children’s play room. It brings the total number of similar applications to nearly 60 this year.
The Town Hall will this week consider an application by the owners of Klippan House, a listed 1881 home on the corner of Well Walk and East Heath Road, who want to a swimming pool, sauna and gym in a new basement.
The Heath and Hampstead Society has criticised the plans.
It said: “The character of this listed house would be affected by attempts to turn it and its grounds into a Hollywood-style mansion.”
Neighbours say the plans could threaten their homes and will cause months of problems.
Mr Maclean said: “Little of the new area is for space contributing to alleviating the borough’s housing shortage; most is designed to provide leisure spaces such as swimming pools and media centres.
“If any such development was proposed above ground level it would be rejected out of hand.
“The effects of many subterranean developments under construction are truly horrendous. The extent of the noise, vibration, mud, dust, traffic chaos and general nuisance can only be realised by experiencing it.
“It is more than is fair or reasonable for any resident to be forced to tolerate. It should be the job of the planning system to give protection against it.”
Environment chief Conservative councillor Mike Greene said he felt there were already guidelines in place, but promised to look into the issue.
He said: “While Camden Council’s planning and building regulation policies regarding basements are not all contained in one section, as they are in Kensington and Chelsea, they do exist.
“As I understand it, they offer similar protection.
“I will, however, ask officers to look carefully at the society’s request to see whether there are any helpful lessons we can learn which might offer extra protection to our residents.” |
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