A retired accountant, Neil Kennedy, 67, is facing the potential demolition of his luxury Sandbanks mansion after a dispute with his neighbors escalated to the High Court. The conflict centers on unauthorized alterations made to his property, which neighbors claim invade their privacy and violate planning regulations.
In 2023, Kennedy demolished his original chalet bungalow and constructed a three-story modern residence. However, Garth Weston, 57, managing director of Ryvita, lodged a complaint, stating that Kennedy's builder had deviated from approved plans. These unauthorized changes included an extended balcony that overlooked the garden of their other neighbor, celebrity interior designer Celia Sawyer, known as 'Mrs Bling.' Sawyer asserted that the larger balcony infringed upon her privacy, particularly as she often sunbathed in her garden.
Further modifications included new windows that offered direct views into Weston's bedroom and the installation of a noisy air conditioning unit on the flat roof. The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council initially required Kennedy to seek retrospective planning permission for the property, which features three bedrooms, an indoor swimming pool, and a gym. Although the council approved this in January 2024, both Weston and Sawyer expressed dissatisfaction, accusing the council of not adequately addressing their concerns.
The matter progressed to the High Court when Weston challenged the lawfulness of the council's planning process. Weston argued that the council's planning officer had not visited the site, preventing a clear understanding of the impact the alterations had on neighboring properties. Justice Andrew Keyser KC ruled in Weston's favor, deeming the planning consent invalid because the officer's report contained material misunderstandings of the factual situation. This decision rendered Kennedy's home illegal and ordered the BCP Council to pay Weston's court costs of £14,754.
Now, Kennedy has submitted a new planning application, described as an attempt to 'erect a replacement dwelling,' despite the structure already being in place. His planning consultant, Martin Hanham, indicated that Kennedy, a retired accountant, entrusted the building work to a construction company and architects, and was unaware of the extent of changes requiring new consent. Hanham stated that his client believed only minor changes were made and was not privy to whether new planning consents were secured.
Despite the council confirming that the changes do not raise planning issues after an on-site inspection, the Sandbanks Neighbourhood Forum has objected to the latest application. The forum cited concerns regarding overlooking, impact on neighbors, and noise, suggesting that the planning officer should conduct a thorough assessment. As of the latest reports, no enforcement action has been taken against Kennedy, even though the house in its current form has not received official approval for approximately four years since its completion. All parties involved have declined to comment on the ongoing situation.