Latest news with #DuncanBannatyne
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Grove Park health club withdraws 80 home proposal after neighbours objected
A Grove Park health club has withdrawn its proposal to build 80 homes next to its grounds after neighbours were up in arms about the loss of green space. The club has confirmed it hopes to submit a new application 'in due course'. Bannatyne Health Club in Grove Park, on the border of Lewisham and Bromley, submitted an application to build the sizable residential development on land to the north and east of the club, as well as improvements to and the provision of sports pitches around the 11.6 acre site, last December. The application was validated by both Bromley and Lewisham Councils earlier this year. The 80 homes would have been 'a mixture of types and tenures' with 28 of them being affordable units in a split of 60 per cent social and affordable rented houses and 40 per cent intermediate provision. Bannatyne outlined what it saw as the benefits of the proposal in planning documents, stating it would provide 'much needed' market and affordable housing as well as 'new and improved sporting facilities' and 'formal public open space'. The health club operator—founded by Scottish entrepreneur and Dragons' Den alum Duncan Bannatyne in the 1990s—also believed that developing the 'long unused site' would be a positive due to the Quaggy River to the east being a 'defensible boundary' to the wider Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and green chain in which the development site lies. However, nearby residents to the health club took the opposite view, with one objector stating that the proposed loss of MOL 'must be of grave concern to all Londoners'. They continued: 'If the application is approved it sends a strong message that all protected land is under threat.' MOL is a form of land designation that provides the same level of protection as the green belt and it is intended to protect areas of landscape, recreation, nature conservation or scientific interest. Many residents bemoaned the potential loss of MOL green space that the homes would cause, especially the loss of around 250 mature trees and the effect that would have on local ecosystems. One objector commented: 'The destruction of all the natural habitat and trees is unacceptable.' Another said: 'We are in the midst of a climate emergency and the destruction of green spaces, especially given their cooling effect on the urban surroundings, is difficult to contemplate.' CPRE London, a charity dedicated to protecting, preserving and promoting the capital's green spaces, said: 'This is inappropriate development on MOL. Exceptional circumstances cannot be said to exist and the proposed benefits of the scheme do not outweigh the enormous damage that would be caused to this beautiful and unique area of countryside. 'The impact of the development on the openness of the MOL would be so great that its designation would cease to have any meaning.' Other concerns included the potential for flooding caused by the development's close proximity to the River Quaggy. The development site was on a flood plain and some neighbours feared their houses would be at risk of flooding if the proposal was approved. Another issue raised by objectors was the potential pressure on local infrastructure that could be caused by an influx of new residents. Traffic and transport were also concerns as the 80 homes would only have one vehicular access point via Marvels Lane. One resident said: 'Since the introduction of LTNs and the road works on the A205, the amount of increased traffic along Winn Road, Exford Road and Marvels Lane has been horrendous in that I feel imprisoned during rush hours. 'To try and get to Grove Park, Lewisham or Mottingham by car or foot can take an inordinate amount of time just to exit or cross Winn Road, Jevington Way, Exford Road or Marvels Lane. 'Travelling though Grove Park during rush hour is not to be considered unless absolutely necessary. With this development, exit onto a corner of Marvels Lane would be impossible. 'I suspect a through way will be proposed by way of Jevington Way and create a 'rat run' to Grove Park through roads that are not designed to cope as it is single traffic only with parked cars.' In response to the planning application withdrawal, a Bannatyne spokesperson said: 'Following discussions with relevant planning authorities we have withdrawn the initial application. After further dialogue we hope to submit a new application in due course.'
Scottish Sun
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Dragon's Den star reveals biggest regret after investing millions on BBC show
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DRAGONS' Den legend Duncan Bannatyne wishes he had quit the telly hit sooner – so he could concentrate on his own endeavours. The gym chain boss, 76, forked out over £2 million on 36 investments during his ten-year reign on the BBC show. 4 Duncan doesn't miss Dragons' Den. Credit: BBC 4 Duncan with wife Nigora in Portugal. However, after bowing out in 2015, followed by his last major TV appearance in I'm A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here in the same year, he revealed that he regrets not declaring 'I'm out' years earlier. Duncan said: 'I left the show ten years ago. I regret not leaving earlier, actually, as it's a huge commitment and takes up 26 days of the year to film. I spent a lot of time away from my family. 'When you invest in someone, you then need to take responsibility for that person and make hard decisions, sometimes it's not nice. 'I just didn't want to be involved in it any more, I have my own businesses.' Duncan also revealed he doesn't regularly keep in touch with his fellow Dragons. He added: 'We all lead very different lives, but I did bump into Theo recently.' And reflecting on his TV career, Duncan says he's unlikely to return to the small screen. He says: 'I don't think I'll do any more television — it doesn't appeal to me. I've done everything I wanted to.' Away from television, Clydebank-born Duncan leads a busy and fulfilling personal and professional life. He began his career in the Royal Navy in the 1960s, but received a dishonourable discharge after threatening to throw an abusive officer off a boat landing jetty. His entrepreneurial journey began at age 30 when he bought an ice-cream van for £450. From there he built the largest chain of independent health clubs in the UK and expanded into hotels and property. I was on Dragons' Den - here's which Dragon is the most intimidating and which one is totally different off camera Today, Duncan oversees 68 gyms, takes pride in being a devoted husband and enjoys spending time with his seven grandchildren. He's also involved in charity work, including Operation Smile, a global organisation dedicated to helping children with cleft conditions. He says: 'I went to a black tie dinner and one of the auction prizes was a trip to Mexico with Operation Smile. I bid for it and won. 'On that trip, I was absolutely amazed at how the charity transforms lives. Children with cleft conditions are often ridiculed, called 'demons' and suffer from malnourishment due to difficulties eating. 'In the UK these issues are resolved quickly but in many parts of the world there aren't enough trained medics to address them.' Duncan is currently on a charity mission in Morocco with Uzbekistan-born wife Nigora Whitehorn, 45. The multi-millionaire tied the knot in 2017 with the stunning brunette, who is 31 years his junior. They at an intimate ceremony before family and friends on a Portuguese beach, close to where they live. The entrepreneur has five daughters and one son from his previous marriages, while Nigora has one daughter who Duncan calls his own. They met shortly after his divorce in 2011 from his second wife, Joanna McCue, which is said to have cost £345 million. Nigora was working as a dentist's receptionist in London's Harley Street when the pair first met. Duncan admitted that the connection on his side was instantaneous. 4 He's much happier doing charity work now. Credit: Supplied 4 Duncan enjoys working closely with his wife after quitting telly. Credit: instagram The smitten husband said: 'It's great that I get to do charity work alongside my wife, we're a good team. But it's not just my wife, I've got my son and daughter here with me as well as my wife's daughter, who I call my own. 'It's like a family operation, I get to spend time with my loved ones while doing work for a great cause.' Duncan told how he keeps in touch with families and feels a sense of attachment after hearing of their horrific ordeals. And he is happy to pull on a surgical gown and watch doctors at work in the operating theatre. He added: 'Handing a baby back to their mother after the procedure is an amazing feeling. "There are about 400 children at one time and sometimes you get attached to a certain child. You want to see them through the full process. I've kept in touch with a few families. "One story that sticks out was a young girl with six fingers. She had no nose and was coming in for her cleft lip and the surgeon used her extra finger to create a nose.' Duncan also loves spending quality time with his seven grandchildren. He said: 'I get to see them quite a bit, most of them spend summer with me in my house in Portugal. 'A few of them are out here with me now, my oldest grandson came over too. My granddaughter works for one of my clubs — she's loving it.' Duncan shows no signs of slowing down after dancing the night away in February at a Miami nightclub for his star-studded 76th birthday bash. Nigora declared her devotion to the Scots entrepreneur online, saying: 'I love you to the moon and back . . . Happy birthday to someone who never fails to brighten my day.' A source said at the time: 'Duncan had an absolute ball. There might be a few sore heads in the morning, but it was worth it.' The Scot has also swapped the boardroom for board games. He adds: 'During my downtime here in Morocco, I like to relax — by thrashing my son at backgammon.'
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Duncan Bannatyne, 76, 'in recovery' following surgery as wife Nigora Whitehorn, 45, shares snap of the mogul from his hospital bed - months after he broke leg and 'almost died'
Duncan Bannatyne 's wife Nigora Whitehorn has revealed the mogul was 'recovering' in hospital following mystery surgery, months after breaking his leg and then 'almost dying' after being stung by a dragon fly. Taking to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, the stunner shared a snap of the ex Dragon's Den star, 76, as he recuperated in bed with a nasal cannula giving him oxygen. Uzbekistan-born Nigora, 45, captioned the candid snap 'recovery' alongside a love hear emoji wrapped in bandage. She then posted a glam selfie sporting dramatic eye make-up as she sat at her beloved husband's bedside. MailOnline have contacted Duncan's representatives for comment. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Back in January Duncan was left relying on the use of a knee brace and walking stick after seriously hurt himself while strutting his stuff on the dance floor in St. Barts. He was supported by a crutch as he prepared to fly home from Gustaf III Airport in St Barts, where the brace around his right leg could be seen. 'He broke his leg in London eight weeks ago and was making a great recovery until his active holiday in the Caribbean, which involved dancing until 4am,' his spokesman told MailOnline's Richard Eden at the time. Adding: 'He used his leg brace to get back in recovery for his flight and is feeling fine now.' Last month Duncan revealed he 'almost died' after being stung by a dragonfly whilst on holiday with his wife in Mexico. The multi-millionaire shared that after contracting an infection he was left with a 'dryness' in his throat that left him struggling to speak, when a doctor gave him an injection to treat the sting. Speaking to Evan Davis on BBC Radio 4's Decisions That Made Me A Leader, Duncan recalled: 'I almost died in Mexico, just a few weeks ago. 'I got this infection in my hand. It was a bite and it's swelling. There were seven couples and a woman said: ''You have to get a doctor.' 'My wife phoned the doctor. I lay on the bed and he says he's going to give me an injection because it's a dragonfly. He injected me into my hip and I turn on my back. 'I was lying there, he was talking to my wife and I had this dryness come up through my oesophagus. I was so dry and I couldn't speak. And my heart started - bump, bump bump bump bump, bump, bump.' Duncan added that he managed to catch the medic's attention again, explaining: 'He gave me this injection and it took it away. And then they got some pills from the pharmacist.' He added he's now 'seriously' considering planning his will, in case he has another health scare in the future. Duncan continued: 'And when I'm gone, what happens? I'm sure some time in your life somebody who's very old says, listen, when I die, I want you to do this. Except now I want to do it, I want to put the plans in place.', The lion share of his estimated £400 million fortune will go to his 'soul mate' Nigora. Nigora is Duncan's third wife after previously tying the knot with Gail Brodie and Joanne McCue, in 1987 and 2006 respectively. Thrice-wed Duncan has four children with Gail and two with Joanna. Duncan proposed to Nigora in 2016 with a £40k ring in Monte Carlo after they first started dating in 2015 when Duncan met her after visiting the dental surgery on London's Harley Street where she was working in 2014.
The Independent
30-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne and his wife Nigora witness ‘life-changing' surgeries
Scottish entrepreneur and philanthropist Duncan Bannatyne is currently in Morocco with his wife Nigora to support Operation Smile. The Dragons' Den star has been an ambassador for the charity, which provides free cleft lip and palate surgery for children, since 2013. The couple are there to witness the charity's Women in Medicine programme and to meet the young patients and their families as they undergo life-changing operations carried out entirely by female medics. The health clubs entrepreneur met eight-month-old Zyad, who was about to undergo surgery on a cleft palate. Bannatyne has previously visited Operation Smile missions in the Philippines, Mexico, Vietnam and Ghana. His chain of gyms has raised £45,000 for the charity over a week of events. 'I am incredibly proud to support Operation Smile and witness the life-changing impact of these surgeries,' Bannatyne said. 'The dedication and expertise of the medical teams provide hope and brighter futures for so many children. 'It was wonderful to meet Zyad before his operation and witness the transforming effect that Operation Smile has on children's lives.' On his website, Bannatyne said charity work 'often leaves you feeling depressed, and helpless thinking, 'there must be more I can do'. 'Operation Smile is different. You see first-hand a child's life changed forever by a simple operation that takes less than one hour. You see the children's new smile and the happy tears of their parents. For me, it doesn't get much better than that. 'We need to keep making this happen because there are still so many children suffering."
Wales Online
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne supports life-changing children's charity in Morocco
Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne supports life-changing children's charity in Morocco The couple are there to witness the charity's Women in Medicine programme and to meet the tiny patients and their families who are undergoing transformative operations Sara Davies counts fellow Dragon's Den star Duncan Bannatyne as one of her mentors - except the two never appeared together and they have never met (Image: Alasdair MacLeod/Daily Record ) Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne is visiting Morocco with his wife Nigora in support of Operation Smile, a charity which provides free cleft lip and palate surgery for children. The couple are there to witness the charity's Women in Medicine programme and to meet the tiny patients and their families who are undergoing transformative operations. The programme is carried out entirely by female medics and the health clubs entrepreneur met eight-month-old Zyad, who was about to undergo surgery on a cleft palate. Bannatyne has been an ambassador for Operation Smile since 2013 and has previously visited its missions in the Philippines, Mexico, Vietnam and Ghana. His chain of gyms has raised £45,000 for the charity over a week of events. Article continues below He said: "I am incredibly proud to support Operation Smile and witness the life-changing impact of these surgeries. "The dedication and expertise of the medical teams provide hope and brighter futures for so many children. "It was wonderful to meet Zyad before his operation and witness the transforming effect that Operation Smile has on children's lives."
