Latest news with #PeterDubens
Mercury
2 days ago
- Business
- Mercury
Neighbours at war over tech tycoon's ‘iceberg' mega-basement
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. MORE: Block star reveals mistake that devalue homes 'Misfit': Neighbours unleash on Meghan 'King's not having it': Charles' wild blow up 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. Parts of this story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission. Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Overlooked VIC suburbs winning in 2025 Melbourne Uni offloads historic mansion $250 a day: Melb market 'on like Donkey Kong'
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Neighbours at war over tech tycoon's ‘iceberg' mega-basement
Locals have launched a furious campaign against an UK tech entrepreneur over his plans to build a mega basement under his mansion. Millionaire investor Peter Dubens wants to erect a whopping 7700 sq ft underground leisure complex with saunas, a bar and a luxury cinema, The Sun reports. The tycoon, who founded Oakley capital in 2002, has infuriated neighbours with the 'iceberg' plans. Mr Dubens submitted a planning application to the local council detailing the two year project. Locals and neighbours quickly objected to the 'vanity project' which would take up nearly 50 per cent of the area under Mr Duben's garden. The renovation would take two years to complete and would also feature a wine cellar, an entertainment space and a golf simulator. Dozens of objections against the millionaire's controversial proposal began flooding in soon after the application was made. Neighbours took issue with everything from the traffic management plan to potential flooding risks. Locals said the last time Mr Dubens had work done to his £10 million ($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 ($A208 million), made millions in colour changing T-shirts before pivoting into investment. He went on to make more money from the sale of Pipex broadband and invested in Time Out magazine. In 2019 the millionaire set up the Peter Dubens Family Foundation to support good causes, mostly in the UK.
Daily Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Neighbours at war over tech tycoon's ‘iceberg' mega-basement
Locals have launched a furious campaign against an UK tech entrepreneur over his plans to build a mega basement under his mansion. Millionaire investor Peter Dubens wants to erect a whopping 7700 sq ft underground leisure complex with saunas, a bar and a luxury cinema, The Sun reports. The tycoon, who founded Oakley capital in 2002, has infuriated neighbours with the 'iceberg' plans. Mr Dubens submitted a planning application to the local council detailing the two year project. Locals and neighbours quickly objected to the 'vanity project' which would take up nearly 50 per cent of the area under Mr Duben's garden. The renovation would take two years to complete and would also feature a wine cellar, an entertainment space and a golf simulator. MORE: Block star reveals mistake that devalue homes 'Misfit': Neighbours unleash on Meghan 'King's not having it': Charles' wild blow up Dozens of objections against the millionaire's controversial proposal began flooding in soon after the application was made. Neighbours took issue with everything from the traffic management plan to potential flooding risks. Locals said the last time Mr Dubens had work done to his £10 million ($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. Parts of this story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission. Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Overlooked VIC suburbs winning in 2025 Melbourne Uni offloads historic mansion $250 a day: Melb market 'on like Donkey Kong'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tycoon's mega basement plan sparks fears of floods in Chelsea
A millionaire private equity mogul's plans for a luxury bunker under his Chelsea town house have sparked fears of floods and gridlock in the area. Peter Dubens, the founder of Oakley Capital, is seeking planning consent to build a 721 sq metre basement under the back garden of his £10m home in west London. The concrete-lined basement complex would include a bar, plunge pool, wine cellar, massage therapy room, gym and golf simulator. There would also be two saunas, one of which would be infrared. However, his plans have been fiercely opposed by a group of Conservative councillors who have raised concerns about an 'unacceptable flood risk' from the works, citing their potential to displace groundwater in an already 'high-risk' zone. Construction is also expected to require more than 400 tipper lorries, leading to concerns over the 'gridlock and safety' issues. The councillors, who represents residents in the Chelsea Riverside and Royal Hospital areas, said the basement's construction would have an 'excessive and hazardous' impact, in a letter of objection filed with the council. A group of Mr Dubens's neighbours are also resisting the proposals, which were first reported by local news publication The Chelsea Citizen. One resident called the plans 'outrageous'. Another criticised it as a 'long-term vanity project' installing features that 'may be desired but are unnecessary as the present owners seem not to be in situ very often'. The luxury bunker would stretch underneath an all-weather tennis court in the garden, which sits within a conservation area. An existing pool house on the premises would be replaced with a bigger one, connecting to the underground spa, while an extra basement kitchen would be installed. One resident complained in a letter to the council: 'The owners of this property have already enlarged the house in the very recent past over a period of three years causing enormous disruption and annoyance to their fellow neighbours. 'They have now applied for a major underground new build into the originally Elizabethan Garden from which the tenants in the square benefited ... It is unimaginable what chaos will ensue.' Another neighbour wrote: 'Hundreds of vehicles will be needed to drive up a road which is too narrow to take them. This is an unacceptable risk to the property of the residents.' A spokesman for Mr Dubens has previously said: 'We make every effort to listen to the concerns of our neighbours. 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.' Mr Dubens made his name selling colour-changing T-shirts in the 1980s. Throughout the 1990s, he sold clothes to businesses such as C&A, Marks & Spencer and Sir Philip Green's Arcadia empire. Once a major Tory donor, he went on to invest in several businesses, including Time Out, which he floated on the London Stock Exchange, and model Alexa Chung's fashion label. He set up Oakley Capital in 2002. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Tycoon's mega basement plan sparks fears of floods in Chelsea
A millionaire private equity mogul's plans for a luxury bunker under his Chelsea town house have sparked fears of floods and gridlock in the area. Peter Dubens, the founder of Oakley Capital, is seeking planning consent to build a 721 sq metre basement under the back garden of his £10m home in west London. The concrete-lined basement complex would include a bar, plunge pool, wine cellar, massage therapy room, gym and golf simulator. There would also be two saunas, one of which would be infrared. However, his plans have been fiercely opposed by a group of Conservative councillors who have raised concerns about an 'unacceptable flood risk' from the works, citing their potential to displace groundwater in an already 'high-risk' zone. Construction is also expected to require more than 400 tipper lorries, leading to concerns over the 'gridlock and safety' issues. The councillors, who represents residents in the Chelsea Riverside and Royal Hospital areas, said the basement's construction would have an 'excessive and hazardous' impact, in a letter of objection filed with the council. A group of Mr Dubens's neighbours are also resisting the proposals, which were first reported by local news publication The Chelsea Citizen. One resident called the plans 'outrageous'. Another criticised it as a 'long-term vanity project' installing features that 'may be desired but are unnecessary as the present owners seem not to be in situ very often'. The luxury bunker would stretch underneath an all-weather tennis court in the garden, which sits within a conservation area. An existing pool house on the premises would be replaced with a bigger one, connecting to the underground spa, while an extra basement kitchen would be installed. One resident complained in a letter to the council: 'The owners of this property have already enlarged the house in the very recent past over a period of three years causing enormous disruption and annoyance to their fellow neighbours. 'They have now applied for a major underground new build into the originally Elizabethan Garden from which the tenants in the square benefited ... It is unimaginable what chaos will ensue.' Another neighbour wrote: 'Hundreds of vehicles will be needed to drive up a road which is too narrow to take them. This is an unacceptable risk to the property of the residents.' A spokesman for Mr Dubens has previously said: 'We make every effort to listen to the concerns of our neighbours. 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.' Mr Dubens made his name selling colour-changing T-shirts in the 1980s. Throughout the 1990s, he sold clothes to businesses such as C&A, Marks & Spencer and Sir Philip Green's Arcadia empire. Once a major Tory donor, he went on to invest in several businesses, including Time Out, which he floated on the London Stock Exchange, and model Alexa Chung's fashion label. He set up Oakley Capital in 2002.
