F1 star Lewis Hamilton is granted permission to cut down more trees at his £18million Kensington mansion

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

Lewis Hamilton has been granted permission to cut down more trees at his £18million Kensington mansion following a bitter feud with neighbours over his previous plans.
The F1 megastar, 40, had applied to cut down four trees at his London home – just three years after he sparked fury over a bid to axe a sugarplum tree despite neighbours claiming he was 'destroying nature'.
He submitted an application to fell two apple trees entirely, complaining they are 'poor specimens', as well as pruning back a lime tree and a magnolia that were said to be 'encroaching' nearby buildings.
Despite his previous clash with his neighbours, he has been given the green light by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council to carry out the works at his luxury west London pad.
The council wrote to Hamilton's tree surgeon Henry Twynam granting him planning permission for the works in spite of the strong objections he has faced in the past.
These trees are not under a Tree Protection Order but are still in a conservation area.
Director of planning and place at the council, Amanda Reid, said: 'The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea will expect to see two small replacement ornamental trees such as a Japanese maples or Amalanchiers planted in like-for-like or suitable positions. The trees shall be planted in the next planting season following removal.'
It was added that the reason for the decision were 'the pruning works are for routine maintenance and the apple trees have limited amenity value.'
Neighbours have previously objected to Hamilton's plans to remove historic trees from his extravagant home.
One neighbour said: 'These trees are in a conservation area and their removal will be detrimental to Kensington and London in general, which is suffering from increasingly worse air quality. I strong advise the council to reject this frivolous application, which is without merit.'
Another added: 'These trees have been there for over 100 years and are part of a magnificent landscaping legacy… their possible demise over time as a result of the construction would seriously impair the value of the neighbouring properties.'
The application could re-spark tensions between the Ferrari driver and residents on the plush Kensington street, close to the homes of David Beckham and Robbie Williams.
Over the years, Hamilton's agents have submitted more than 20 planning applications on his behalf causing tensions between the Ferrari driver and residents on the plush Kensington street, close to the homes of David Beckham and Robbie
In previous years, he's sought permission for all manner of improvements to bring the property up to standards commensurate with his superstar status.
These have included the installation of metal entrance gates and the demolition of a summerhouse and the erection of a swanky replacement.
Hamilton only received permission to chop down the 'beautiful' sugarplum tree in 2022, after neighbours argued that he would be ' destroying nature' if the tree outside his home was removed.
But Hamilton beat out their complaints by providing a report by a tree surgeon which said that the tree was mostly dead and dying anyway.
This report swayed the council who gave him permission to chop down the tree entirely and trim back a magnolia tree.
Sources close to Hamilton told MailOnline that he was fond of the sugarplum tree but as it was dying he has had it replaced with a similar-looking apple blossom cherry tree.
A year later he was also allowed to prune twin poplar trees which tower above his gardens – 'magnificent 'heritage' trees . . . easily identifiable upon approach to Heathrow', according to one local.
It was the latest planning battle with local residents over the renovations to his palatial £18million mansion in one of the capital's most desirable conservation areas.
The extensive building work includes a rear extension, summer house and new frontage with a larger security wall and gates to 'improve the character and privacy of the building', according to a council planning report.
His garden design team, led by Florian McLaren at Highland Aboriculture, previously won permission to trim a Horse Chestnut tree by two metres, with the application form stating the changes are 'to reduce shading and reduce loading on regrowth points'.
A neighbour backing onto Hamilton's property supported the application, saying that the large trees can leave 'pigeon droppings' all over their garden.
They asked for 'as many as possible of the horizontal branches, that hang over our property, be pruned back', adding that 'the pigeon droppings in that corner can be a nuisance'.
In a separate application to the council Hamilton also wanted to chop down an Amelanchier tree, also known as a shadbush.
His team said the tree was '80 per cent dead and in terminal decline' and asked to cut back the crown of a Magnolia Grandiflora by one to two metres.
In a previous planning application by Hamilton, one neighbour moaned that the 'current owner bought the property for £18million in 2017 and has never set foot in it'.
When the racing car driver applied to demolish the existing summerhouse, there were fears from locals regarding the trees and it being used as a party pad.
Neighbours expressed concern that the property had reportedly 'remained empty' while they also disagreed that the trees were in 'poor' condition.
One said: 'It certainly does not need another house at the rear of its garden, which, if the owner ever does move in, will no doubt be used as a 'party house' away from the main residence, due to the nature of his lifestyle.'
Another said: 'They are magnificent 'heritage' trees, which are easily identified from an airplane upon approach to Heathrow Airport.
'The report also describes them both as in 'Poor' structural condition. I hope that this is also incorrect. In addition, they are considered 'post-mature' in age.