Latest news with #localcommunity
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Wealthy neighbours go to war with £100m tech tycoon over his plans for 'vanity' 7760 sq ft Chelsea mega-basement that'll take two years to build
Chelsea was abuzz at its annual RHS Flower Show last week as King Charles, celebrities and 40,000 daily visitors enjoyed the colourful blooms and foliage of the festival's gorgeous grounds. But locals nearby are slinging mud at a tech entrepreneur worth £100million over his 'vanity project' plans to build a mega-iceberg basement with health spa and entertainment space. Peter Dubens wants to build a 7760 sq ft underground personal leisure complex taking up almost 50 per cent of the area under his garden and two years to complete. He wants to build a gigantic new floor for his £10million house including 'therapy room', bar, luxury cinema, wine cellar, two saunas, plunge pool, massage room and a top of the range golf simulator. The controversial planning application was unearthed by The Chelsea Citizen, a new hyper local online newspaper for the area. Some furious locals have complained to Kensington and Chelsea Council, predicting the project will cause 'un-ending havoc and pollution'. One said: 'This is nothing more than one man's appalling vanity project. 'Mr Dubens clearly has absolutely no regard for the disruption his basement will cause. It is the epitome of opulence and arrogance. Why does one man need so much? He clearly doesn't care one jot about anyone else, nor the area in which he lives. 'But this is about far more than "NIMBY-ism". A development at this scale is entirely wrong for the area and does nothing for the public good'. A letter of complaint sent to the council says: '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. 'Approval of another large basement scheme in this sensitive location would set a damaging precedent, undermining local and national efforts to manage flood risk, protect heritage assets, and maintain community cohesion.' Another letter said: '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'. It is set to be considered for approval in June by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Locals have claimed that last time Mr Dubens had major work done it took three years. Critics claim that cars were damaged as well as nearby water and sewage pipes. They have also raised concerns about potential damage to a Grade II Listed Tudor wall, dating from Henry VIII's manor house, that is part of the perimeter to the mansion's garden. But developers have said the wall will be safe from harm. A spokesman for Mr Dubens said in a statement to the Citizen: '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.' MailOnline also asked for a comment. Peter Dubens is a British entrepreneur who cashed in on the colour-changing clothing trend in the Nineties. Global Hypercolor T-shirts, which changed according to body temperature, were a must have for youngsters in the early 1990s. Mr Dubens started his career as a chauffeur and aide to billionaire investor Joe Lewis, who owns Tottenham Hotspur FC. In 2002 he set up Oakley Capital. Diggers will remove the current tennis court, tonnes of soil and drill down before the basement is built. It would then be filled in and returned to being a garden As well as savvy investments in heat-sensitive T-shirts, he also made made money from Vans trainers, Eastpak rucksacks and even smoothies. He then went on to make more money in telecoms including from the money-spinning sales of Pipex broadband. He also invested in Time Out magazine. In 2019 he set up the Peter Dubens Family Foundation to support good causes, mainly in UK, in education, marine conservation, children's welfare, and health. Away from work he loves sailing and diving and tennis, having a court in his Chelsea garden.
CTV News
13 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Authorities police seek help with assault investigation, after elderly tenant shoved
Sault police and Crime Stoppers ask for help identifying a suspect in an assault at a local apartment building on May 20, 2025.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside James Corden's abandoned £8million mansion that's been left to 'rot' after being invaded by vandals
It was once an impressive family estate which sat proudly among acres of stunning scenery in Oxfordshire. But now James Corden 's UK mansion which he planned to demolish and turn into an £8million new home has seen better days after it was 'abandoned' by the star. The British comedian and actor had planned to replace the structure with a six-bedroom pile with a pool and spa. But this week it was announced Corden is set to return to the US for a 17-week run on Broadway in New York, for a play. Newly emerged photographs reveal the state of the derelict house, showing an eerily empty indoor swimming pool littered with dirt and leaves. Meanwhile, the floors of the mansion can be seen covered in smashed glass and debris while the outside of the property is overgrown and haggard. Locals in quaint surrounding villages fear the star's building project will never be completed. Jayne Worral has been the landlady of The Bull pub in nearby Wargrave since 1980 and said it would be 'sacrilege' for Corden to leave the property empty. Jayne, 72, said: 'He should live in it or sell it so a family can live in it. It's shameful to buy anywhere with that sort of standing and then have no one benefit from living in it. He should be ashamed. It's not fair. 'I'm 72 and society has changed so much - it's all money, money, money, me, me, me. We have a good community here, but so many local shops have closed down because people live such isolated lives.' One resident said: 'People like James Corden think they can do what they want. 'We need people actually living in the properties around here and then contributing locally. Not having grand plans and then leaving the country. We need certainty. 'He created a huge fuss around wanting the plans to go through how he wanted. How he is leaving. What is going on? 'That would be a lovely house and surroundings for someone local.' Sue Harris, who has worked in a local shop in nearby Henley since 1997, agreed that it would be a shame if the celebrity left the house derelict. She said: 'It would be a shame if he left it empty, as we get a lot of characters wanting to live here. We've had Liam Gallagher come in with the kids, he was lovely. You never know who is going to walk through the door.' But Sue said she was worried that the property purchases of the mega-wealthy like Mr Corden were making Henley and the surrounding villages unaffordable for working people who had been brought up in the area. She said: 'My daughter rents in Henley and she pays more than our mortgage. It's all these posh people moving here, pushing up prices.' Sue added she had never met Mr Corden, but thought he was being 'arrogant' with his behaviour around the property and his previous long-running planning dispute. She said: 'Everything goes his way, he's fine. But if he doesn't get his way, he throws the dolly out the pram.' But a builder who lived locally said he had met Mr Corden several times as his dad had attended Holmer Green Senior School near High Wycombe with the celebrity. He said: 'He's a lovely bloke - but to just buy a house and never live in it, that's mental. But he's rich, so he lives a different lifestyle.' Martin Walker, 78, said: 'I wouldn't know James Corden is he were to fall on my head. But I know the plot of land and the area. I wish he would tear it down. I hate the look of the place. It's a great circular thing. It's not doing anyone any good.' One of James' representatives told MailOnline the star had no plans to move back to the states 'full time.' In January last year, experts also warned that the area nearby was littered with Roman and prehistoric finds, with archaeological work to be done to find out whether there are any historic settlements on the site of Corden's Templecombe House. To undertake the vast build, James would have had to comply with dozens of regulations to safeguard local wildlife and trees, according to The Sun. Mr Corden is set to return to the US to star in the revival of the play ART, due to open in Broadway's Music Box theatre on September 16. The TV star had spent eight years living in the United States and returned home in 2023 along with his wife Julia and their three children. He had a long run on one of American TV's most influential programmes, The Late Late Show. When speaking about leaving his LA home in 2022 he said: 'I love being in Los Angeles. I love it but we always knew it would be an adventure and not a final destination.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Best things about living in Worcester revealed by locals - do you agree?
Worcestershire is home to lots of pleasant areas, and Worcester was recently named one of the happiest places to live by The Guardian. But what makes the city so special? To find out, we asked Worcester News readers to share what they think are the best things about living in Worcester. From the countryside to the restaurants, here's what locals said they like best about living in Worcester. The Guardian said: 'This West Midlands city has beautiful cobbled streets as well as dozens of shops and restaurants, and plenty to see and do. The beautiful Worcester Cathedral dominates the city centre – King John is among the historical figures buried there.' It added that there is a 'low crime rate' and that it's 'affordable' when 'compared with many other cities'. See the full list of Britain's happiest places to live via The Guardian's website. One local listed several things that make Worcester a 'great' place to live, including its countryside: 'Beautiful canals, the river, parks, museums, countryside, wildlife, cafes, entertainment, festivals and concerts, museums, great restaurants and bars and plenty of them are sole traders, history, architecture, safety generally peaceful. 'Good schools and education, hobby and community groups... 'Pretty great place to live'. Another local agreed, adding: 'and beautiful people !' This person said: 'If you take time to look around the city you'll find it's lovely. Great walks along the river and beautiful old buildings. There are a lot worse places than here!' Another local shared: 'Always love the walk from town across the bridge. The cathedral view and the riverside walk are wonderful'. Someone who lived in Worcester but has since moved abroad said: 'I'm living abroad now but Worcester is a good place to live. Fantastic architecture and historic buildings. 'It's better than a lot of places that's for sure.' Someone agreed, sharing: 'not wrong there mate I now live in the usa. worcester is gorgeous if you take the time to enjoy it. if you take your head out of your phone and look up at what history we have and beautiful nature then maybe you would enjoy it more.' Recommended reading: Best villages to visit for a day out near Worcester according to locals This is Worcester's highest-rated cafe and it serves 'the best coffee' 'Must-visit' Worcestershire pub has one of the UK's best beer gardens This person shared: 'Their is lots to do in the parks and city centre, their a fabulous atmosphere in city and everyone is so friendly.' Another local said: 'The music and theatre scene and how the cathedral dominates city spreading love and kindness and a space to reflect'. What do you like most about living in Worcester? Let us know in the comments.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Smoke sent billowing across area after 'scary' fire breaks out at house
Smoke was sent billowing across part of Tameside this afternoon after a fire broke out at a house. Fire crews raced to Mottram Road in Stalybridge after the blaze broke out, shortly after midday. The patio door of the property went up in flames, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue (GMRS) said. READ MORE: 'Bright and kind' girl, 13, who died after falling into reservoir taking whilst photos with dad is named as school pays tribute READ MORE: Oldham murder investigation LIVE updates after man found dead One local said the fire appeared to be coming from the back garden. They said it 'quickly caught fire' and 'got large immediately.' A neighbour with a hose helped douse water on it before firefighters arrived they said, adding it was 'very scary.' A GMFRS spokesperson said: 'At around 12.05pm today (Saturday 31 May), four fire engines from Stalybridge, Mossley, Hyde and Hollins fire stations attended a house fire involving a patio door on Mottram Road, Stalybridge. 'Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus arrived quickly one hose reel, one short extension ladder, a gas monitor and thermal imaging camera to extinguish the fire and make the area safe. "Crews departed after roughly one hour and 30 minutes in attendance." -- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
