A BRITISH rock icon has been forced to rip down his “intrusive” shed after his neighbours claimed the plans were “deliberately misleading.”
Pink Floyd legend, David Gilmour, has been ordered to move the three metre structure after finding himself caught in a heated planning row.
David Gilmour, 79, has been caught in a planning row over his garden shed[/caption]
Neighbours have called the structure “intrusive”[/caption]
The famed guitarist, 79, built the structure to replace a previous shed and small summerhouse in the corner of his Hampstead garden, The Telegraph reported.
However, Gilmour’s neighbours have called for restrospective planning to be refused, declaring the new-build “overbearing” and “intrusive.”
The shed measured 2.5 metres high, 1.9 metres wide and 2.9 metres deep.
The plans, lodged by Gilmour’s wife, Polly Sampson, were later amended following concerns.
Camden Council has since given the couple a month to take down the existing structure and rebuild it further away from the back fence.
If he fails to do so, the star could face enforcement action.
According to the Hampstead Hill Gardens Residents’ Association, the shed should have been built in the same spot as the previous structures, as per the planning permission granted in 2023.
However, the documents claim it to be two metres closer to the boundary.
The Chairman of the association, Audrey Mandela, told The Telegraph: “The application should be rejected as the structure now in place is obtrusive, overbearing, and significantly more visually and physically intrusive than what was originally approved or what stood there before.
“We are concerned that this appears to be a deliberately misleading application.”
Ms Mandela explained that she believes this to be a deliberate repositioning of the structure, which would not have received planning permission.
She also expressed hopes that the council will ensure its removal as soon as possible.
Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC, who lives near the home, wrote in planning documents that he noticed during the building’s construction that extensive foundations were being laid down.
In addition to this, he saw extensive landscape around the structure.
He wrote: “Both of these facts indicate that the owners may have more ambitious and different uses for the building than that of a garden shed.”
Sir Jeffery also said an attempt by a neighbour to settle the issue without involving the council was rebuffed.
In the wake of these concerns being raised, the guitarist amended plans to reduce the shed’s size and promised to place it approximately 2.5 meters away from the garden boundary.
Camden council has approved the updated application, and issued Gilmour one month to make these amendments.
Whiteacre Planning, Gilmour’s planning agents, said in the documents: “It is important that new development ensures that there is no adverse impact on neighbouring amenity such as overlooking, loss of privacy or overshadowing.”
It ensured that the amended structure will not lead to amenity issues.
The Sun has reached out to Camden Council and Whiteacre Planning for further comment.
Do I need planning permission to convert my shed?
CONVERTING an existing shed or outbuilding into a self-contained living space will usually require you apply for planning permission.
However, there is a “loophole” Brits can use to convert outbuildings into a tiny home without permission.
Planning expert Martin Gaine from Just Planning warned the conversion process is far easier than you may think.
Speaking to The Sun, the Chartered Town Planner of 14 years’ experience explained: “An outbuilding can be built using ‘permitted development rights‘, meaning it does not need planning permission.
“As long as you comply with the various restrictions and conditions.”
One of these is that the outbuilding can only be used for something ‘ancillary’ to your main living accommodation – examples include storage, a gym or a pool room.
If the outbuilding is existing, converting it then into primary living accommodation IS allowed.
Martin explained: “This is because internal changes to an existing building are not considered to be development at all under the Town and Country Planning Act.
But like anything, there is one catch.
The new living accommodation must still have some connection with your use of the main house.
For instance, if your gran is living out there, she must still come into the house to eat.