Jamie Theakston has lost the final round in his battle to further develop his backyard by building an outbuilding with a gym and a Home office.
The radio and TV presenter made plans last October for the 40-foot-wide outbuilding of his £9 million mansion – just three years after enraging his neighbors by building a new house at the end of his garden.
Council officials refused planning permission for his latest project, saying the “excessive size” and “appearance” of the outbuilding would have a “damaging impact” on neighboring houses in a leafy conservation area.
Concerns were also raised that the inclusion of a kitchenette in the plans went against local planning policy as it ‘could facilitate the future conversion of the ground floor garden room for use as a self-contained self-contained dwelling’.
The former host of children’s show Live & Kicking, who currently hosts Heart FM’s breakfast show with Amanda Holden, appealed the ruling.
Heart FM DJ Jamie Theakston, pictured here with wife Sophie Siegle, attempts to build a home office and gym under the garden of their £6million house in Chiswick, west London
The couple spent more than two years transforming the luxury property
Jamie Theakston planned to build a gym and home office at the bottom of his garden in Chiswick, West London
His original design was rejected due to the trendy black upholstery, so he resubmitted a modified design using traditional wood
Theakston, 51, plans to install a gym, home office and yoga studio in the new building
But his appeal has now been rejected by a government planning inspector who said the development would violate planning policy by spoiling the view of his garden in Chiswick, west London.
The inspector also noted that the proposal to sheath the building with black steel cladding would be in “stark contrast” to the traditional building materials used near Theakston.
Theakston, who lives with his wife and two children, is now trying to circumvent the tide by making new plans for an annex with a separate yoga studio to replace the kitchenette and shower room.
He has applied for a ‘certificate of lawful use’ for the development, arguing that it would only be ‘additional to the enjoyment’ of his property, and within its limitations, and therefore exempted from the need for a full building permit.
The new plans appear to be an attempt to allay fears that the outbuilding could eventually become living space.
But the proposed garden room development is remarkably similar in size and shape to those in the old plans, according to documents filed with Hounslow Council.
The new plans still include a home office and gym with similar equipment to the exercise room described in the old plans, as well as free weights, plyometric box jumps, and areas for sleds and battle ropes.
One big difference is that the plans for the new garden room propose to wrap it in reclaimed wood cladding instead of the trendy black cladding on the old plans.
A statement from Theakston’s planning agent says: ‘It is within the local conservation area, but as this annex was to be built at the far end of the garden (and not the side of the house), the designation is not prohibitive.
“The main areas would be used for private practice (gym and dedicated yoga room) and a home office. The outbuilding does not provide primary living space.’
The couple has transformed the house into a beautiful space, but wants to continue working on the property
Planners are expected to make a decision on his final application next month.
The planning inspector who rejected Theakston’s recent appeal ruled it would be ‘clearly visible’ from the road and affect ‘the sense of openness’ in his garden which sits on a corner lot
The verdict concluded that it would “damage the character of the area” and would “catch the eye and compete visually with the trees.”
The inspector said: ‘Introducing a large outbuilding into this space would reduce the overall feeling of openness and erode the gaps between the buildings on this corner.
“So while it would be smaller than the existing home and subordinate to it in scale, it would affect the character of this part of the conservation area.”
The verdict noted that Theakston was willing to use oak cladding instead, but stated, “However, this would not diminish the effect of the scale and location of the proposed development.”
Theakston’s attempt to compare his plans with other existing outbuildings in the area was rejected because the places he pointed to were “significantly smaller” and had no “comparable impact”.
He bought the house in West London for £3.8 million and spent two years renovating the property
Half a dozen neighbors had objected to the former Top of the Pops presenter’s original plans for an outhouse, saying it would damage the conservation area and could become a ‘bed in a shed’.
No one has yet submitted comments to the council about his reconfigured plans for his garden room.
Theakston’s plans for his own gym appear likely to be an important part of his fitness regimen, which saw him lose half his body fat five years ago under a strenuous exercise program.
He bought his beautiful five-bedroom house on a corner plot in 2010 for £3.8 million and shares it with his wife Sophie and their two children.
Theakston undertook a massive Grand Designs-style refurbishment that lasted two years, and in 2013 put the double gable house – once featured in the TV show ‘Through the Keyhole’ – up for sale for £6.5 million.
The house would be the second most expensive house ever sold in Chiswick if it sold for asking price, but he took it off the market.
Theakston sparked a protracted battle with his neighbours, including British film legend Richard Attenborough’s son, Michael, by submitting plans to build a four-bedroom family home in 2018 on a plot at the end of his garden.
More than 20 wealthy locals objected, with some accusing him of ‘cultural vandalism’ and acting out of greed, but Hounslow council gave permission for the development.
A historic coach house was demolished to make way for the stylish new three-storey house and some trees were also felled. It is believed that Theakston rented out the £3million property rather than selling it.
Before getting the go-ahead for its construction, it lost a previous bid to build a gym and indoor pool at the back of the yard, which also infuriated neighbors.
RADA teacher Michael Attenborough, who lives next door, spoke at the time about Theakston’s plans for his new home.
He said, ‘Mr Theakston has told me he wants to build the house and sell it for as much money as possible, but I don’t think he has considered the impact on his neighbours.
“He’s not doing anything illegal as the house will be built entirely on his own land, but as his neighbor it will have a huge impact on our home for the past 30 years.
“If it goes through, we’ll have to seriously consider leaving because it won’t be the same here. What I don’t understand is why he moved to a conservation area and then wants to change it.’
Theakston’s plans for the house were approved with 18 conditions after councilors on the planning committee ruled it would “maintain the character and appearance” of the highly desirable area and “will not impair the living conditions of the neighbours.”
The councilors were also confident that the house would be of “satisfactory standards” and that appropriate mitigation measures and landscaping would protect the preserved trees.