A George Michael ‘superfan’ has won planning permission to renovate the signer’s former home despite backlash from neighbours.
Stephen Cameron and his wife Clare Harrison bought the Grade-II listed property in 2020 for a cool £19million, four years after Michael’s death on Christmas Day.
After securing permission for minor work to the exterior of the house in July, including replacing old railings and reconfiguring rooms, the couple has now also been given the go-ahead for extensive renovations.
According to reports made by The Sun, their renovations will include an ‘extension to existing outbuilding, including outdoor shower and roof terrace above; relocation of swimming pool; erection of pergola; associated landscaping’.
The all-clear comes after the Highgate Society and the Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee (HCAAC) said they ‘strongly object’ the plans for the seven-bedroom home.
They said it ‘strongly objects’ to the application changing the house ‘unnecessarily, and in a derogatory manner, alter the frontages of one of the finest rows of houses in the Highgate Conservation Area.’
The society points out that the basement could cause structural issues after a nearby historic Witanhurst Mansion, owned by Russian businessman Andrey Guryev ran into similar problems.
‘Given that the owners of some properties in The Grove believe that problems have arisen as a result of the basement works at Witanhurst, we would urge the Council to instruct an independent audit of the proposals,’ they said in a letter, The Sun reports.
In the HCAAC’s complaint, they added: ‘We are very concerned that what is being proposed in respect of the front of the property adversely affects the harmony and the setting of the important listed buildings in the row on The Grove and does not enhance the character and appearance of the Highgate Conservation Area.’
Owner Mr Cameron bought the home in 2020.
At the time, he said: ‘It’s a beautiful property, stunning and I’m looking forward to living there. I’m also a huge George Michael fan so that makes it even better.’
He added to Mail Online: ‘I know the area really well and have been living in this part of North London for several years. It’s a beautiful house to live in and the whole family is happy.’
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