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News.com.au
an hour 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
an hour 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'
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Neighbours at war over tech tycoon's £100m ‘iceberg' mega-basement with saunas, bar & luxury cinema
LOCALS have launched a furious campaign against a millionaire tech tycoon's plans to build a mammoth basement under his swank mansion. Planning application documents for the massive basement detail plans to build saunas, a bar and a luxury cinema. 5 Millionaire investor Peter Dubens wants to erect a whopping 7,700 sq ft basement under his already sizable home. The tycoon, who founded Oakley capital in 2002, has infuriated neighbours with the "iceberg" plans. Dubens submitted a planning application to the local council detailing the two year project. Locals and neighbours quickly fell to objecting to the "vanity project" which would take up nearly 50% of the area under Mr Dubens garden. The renovation would take two years to complete and would feature saunas, a wine cellar, an entertainment space and a golf simulator. Dozens of objections against the millionaires 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 Dubens had work done to his £10 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. 5 5 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." Concerns have been raised over potential damage to a Grade II listed Tudor wall dating from Henry VIII's manor house that is part of the perimeter of the mansions garden. The planning application was unearthed by local news outlet The Chelsea Citizen. A spokesperson for Mr Duben told The Chelsea 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.' The application will be considered for approval by the local council this month. The Sun has contacted Peter Dubens' team and the local council for comment. Dubens made his 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. 5
The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Warning that gardeners are risking huge £5,000 fines for mowing their lawns this weekend during certain hours
GARDENERS have been warned not to mow their lawns during certain hours this weekend to avoid paying a hefty fine. Anyone caught with a lawn mower risks forking out a whopping £5,000. Brits could be set to enjoy temperatures as high as 26C this weekend as "Iberian heat" rolls in alongside glorious sunshine. Many would be tempted to make the best out of the weather and tend to their gardens. Regularly giving your lawn a fresh cut helps to promote healthy growth, prevent stress on the grass, and improve air circulation. However, you have to be wary what time of the day you bring out your lawn mower out of the shed. Although there is no law stopping you from mowing your lawn during certain hours, you could get in trouble with your local council. They could issue a Noise Abatement Notice if you create noise disturbance during the prohibited hours. On weekdays, it is normally accepted to make noise between 8am and 8pm. However, on weekends, people have been advised to keep it quiet before 9am and after 7pm. East Coast Fencing says: 'Most people naturally opt for weekends to complete household and garden chores, including mowing the lawn. 'However, weekends are also when noise complaints tend to rise as families aim to relax or catch up on sleep. 'To prevent frustrations, pay extra attention to the timing of your mowing on Saturdays and Sundays.' I turned my bare front garden into a vibrant green lawn in DAYS thanks to a £4 buy from Asda - the grass grew like wildfire Those who don't abide by the rules could get fined for up to £5,000 for disturbance during unsociable hours. Daniel McAfee, Head of Legal Operations at Lawhive, told Express: 'Non-compliance with an abatement notice can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000 for domestic premises. 'This is not an empty threat - these fines are real, and local authorities do enforce them.' Luckily, experts have revealed that mowing too early can cause damage to your grass by exposing it to disease and fungal infections. The expert shared that in spring the best time to mow your lawn is between 9 am and 11 am. Gardening mistakes that could get you fined Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking. While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues. Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research. The gardening experts reveal: 'If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. " While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it. 'But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn. The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO. You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer. Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing. To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries 'Most of the time, it's easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side," they add. 'Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance. "Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height. "Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn't have a problem.' Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade. But if it obstructs your neighbour's view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures. 'If you're not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you're planning and, if there's an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance," advise the gardening experts. Overhanging branches and plants: 'When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour's tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance," reveal the pros. However, it's important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing. You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don't have permission to enter your neighbours garden.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Historic seaside town boasts of increase in tourism after £12million revamp – including seafront activity centre
A SMALL seaside town has reported a significant boost in tourism after investing £12 million into revamp work. The regeneration project, most of which was completed at the beginning of the year, saw upgrades to the town centre and seafront. Maryport, which has a population of around 10,865, traces back to medieval times with the Georgian era introducing the town's lighthouse while the Victorian period brought the local railway. By 1845 , the Cumbria port town had established itself as a bustling hub for trade, shipping 300,000 tons of coal along with other imports and exports including iron ore, timber, cattle, and cotton. A century on, the aftermath of the 1926 General Strike and the new deep-water dock in Workington saw the area become a ghost town. Despite a brief reprieve during World War II, the town never fully recovered, with the docks closing to cargo ships in the 1960s. In the decades since, the scenic area focused more on its tourism industry. A series of regeneration works have been carried out in Maryport, with some still in progress. Maryport Town Hall underwent a £200,000 renovation and now serves as a community hub as well as housing the local council. Automatic sensors on the building have recorded more than a third increase in footfall since the upgrade began. Overall, tourism in the town has increased by 35% since spring 2024. The town hall is located on Senhouse Street, the main route connecting the town centre with the Harbourside and Promenade, all of which have undergone various revamps. A Shopfront Scheme has transformed the look of many properties, attracting new businesses such as retailers, wellness providers, a photography studio, and a banking hub. Meanwhile on the Harbourside, the new Shiver Me Timbers splashpark and play area has been erected. Upgrades have also been made to the Maryport Activity Centre, with new attractions added, including a play area, climbing attractions, a gym, studio spaces, and a café. The new Shipping Brow Gallery and a new skatepark on the Promenade have also boosted footfall in the town. And Maryport's regeneration continues as the Christ Church to Maritime Museum conversion still underway. 'Downtrodden' English ghost town where locals feel 'left behind' being turned into 'vibrant' shopping hub in £9m revamp By Nicole Cherruault A "DOWNTRODDEN" English ghost town is being turned into a "vibrant" shopping hub in a £9million revamp. The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the council launches a multi-million pound"vision for change" after locals complained the town felt "left behind". More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town's shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers. Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a "downtrodden" town, reports Manchester Evening News. The objective, the council said, is to create a "vibrant" and a "fit for purpose" centre for people to enjoy. Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council's top priorities. And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners. This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been "left behind" and it was in desperate need of some "drastic" improvements. The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year. However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre "remains open for business", stressing that the works only affect a few areas. He said: 'Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today's town centre remains open for business,' said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council. 'I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre. 'The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.' Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community. In a statement, he spoke of his "excitement" for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles. He said 'Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community. 'It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community. 'The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.' The work will see the historic Christ Church transformed into a new Maritime Museum, with an expected opening later this year. And a former cinema is also being converted into a cultural hub, with an opening date expected early next year. Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer spoke about the boost the work has given the town. "When Maryport Maritime Museum opens in Christ Church, the former Carlton Cinema becomes a cultural hub, and the new café opens on the Promenade there will be even more reasons to visit," he said. "I am very pleased to see that footfall is already on the up - even before the summer tourist season. 3 "This is great for the local economy which is the whole point of this work.' Other attractions in the town include the Lake Distict Coast Aquarium at Maryport Harbour, which reportedly boasts more than 2,000 specimens in over 75 display tanks. Family tickets are available from just £26. And while the town has a mixed shingle and sand beach that disappears during high tide, its bay is still recognised as a good spot for windsurfing and kite-surfing. Visitors can also enjoy the stunning views of the Solway estuary at all times of the year. 3
