Neighbours at war over tech tycoon's ‘iceberg' mega-basement

News.com.au

2 days ago

Locals have launched a furious campaign against an UK tech entrepreneur over his plans to build a mega basement under his mansion.
Millionaire investor Peter Dubens wants to erect a whopping 7700 sq ft underground leisure complex with saunas, a bar and a luxury cinema, The Sun reports.
The tycoon, who founded Oakley capital in 2002, has infuriated neighbours with the 'iceberg' plans.
Mr Dubens submitted a planning application to the local council detailing the two year project.
Locals and neighbours quickly objected to the 'vanity project' which would take up nearly 50 per cent of the area under Mr Duben's garden.
The renovation would take two years to complete and would also feature a wine cellar, an entertainment space and a golf simulator.
Dozens of objections against the millionaire's controversial proposal began flooding in soon after the application was made.
Neighbours took issue with everything from the traffic management plan to potential flooding risks.
Locals said the last time Mr Dubens had work done to his £10 million ($A20.8 million) mansion it took nearly three years to complete.
Claims were also lodged that cars, water pipes and sewage pipes were damaged during the previous renovation works.
Six ward councillors have written to the council objecting to the massive planning application, saying the basement development would create an 'iceberg' home.
An 'iceberg' home is a residence with more square footage below ground than above.
Specific legislation was introduced by the borough to control the development of basements and prevent 'iceberg' homes from being built.
Ward councillors also said the plans posed an unacceptable flood risk and would harm the character of the conservation area.
Additionally councillors raised concerns about overdevelopment and harm to residential amenity, hazardous construction impact and cumulative harm to sustainability, heritage, and quality of life.
One local objection to the application reads: 'The current Construction Traffic Management Plan envisages 10 concrete mixers and 10 skip lorries a week (averaging one every two hours, with a forty minute maximum dwell time) for a period of many months.
'In other words, hundreds of vehicles will be needed to drive up a road which is too narrow to take them.'
Another local objection said: 'This is nothing more than one man's appalling vanity project.
'Why does one man need so much? He clearly doesn't care one jot about anyone else, nor the area in which he lives.'
The planning application was unearthed by news outlet The Chelsea Citizen.
'We make every effort to listen to the concerns of our neighbours,' a spokesperson for Mr Dubens told The Chelsea Citizen.
'In the event that any development work does take place, it will be undertaken with due care and consideration, and in strict accordance with planning regulations.'
The application will be considered for approval by the local council this month.
A spokesperson for the local council said: 'All planning applications go to consultation so that anyone can provide feedback.
'The consultation on this application is open until Friday 6 June.
'Officers will review the application and all the feedback after the consultation closes, before making a recommendation.'
The Sun contacted Peter Dubens' team for comment.
Mr Dubens, who's worth £100 million ($A208 million), made millions in colour changing T-shirts before pivoting into investment.
He went on to make more money from the sale of Pipex broadband and invested in Time Out magazine.
In 2019 the millionaire set up the Peter Dubens Family Foundation to support good causes, mostly in the UK.