FORMER tennis ace Andrew Castle has WON his battle with neighbours to build a huge £5million home complete with a swimming pool.
But despite Andrew‘s victory, the former GMTV host won’t be allowed to have the tennis court he wanted.
Former tennis ace Andrew Castle has WON his battle with neighbours to build a huge £5million home[/caption]
Despite his victory, he won’t be allowed to have the tennis court he wanted[/caption]
He competed in Strictly Come Dancing back in 2008[/caption]
The Wimbledon commentator, 61, served up plans to demolish a 1930s period cottage to make way for a luxury pad three times bigger.
But the former Strictly star’s next door neighbour hit back with a volley of objections to the “wholly unacceptable” and “inappropriate” development.
They slammed the “highly prominent” two-storey new build in Surrey, and called for it to be lobbed out.
They even hired their own planning agent to fight their case, citing overlooking and loss of privacy and outlook.
Castle and wife Sophia then served up revised plans to appease their new neighbours, swapping around a rear bedroom and front gym on the first floor, but they still objected.
Officials at the local council have now given the go-ahead despite their protests.
They said: “The proposed development is considered acceptable in terms of scale, form, bulk, height, massing, spacing and design.
“There would be no adverse impact on the character of the area of the or the visual amenities of the street scene as a result of the proposal.
“It is considered that the proposed development would not adversely affect the residential amenities of neighbouring properties by reason of overlooking, loss of daylight or overbearing effect.”
Castle wants to demolish the existing 1,822 sq.ft three-bedroom cottage to make way for a modern new build with an outdoor swimming pool, pool house and sauna.
Plans show a first floor gym and master bedroom with his and hers dressing rooms and even a coffee bar, with a downstairs Day Area.
The former GMTV presenter also wants to build 6ft-high entrance gates and plant new boundary hedges and trees to boost security and privacy.
Planning permission for the new build was granted on condition that the gym has obscured glazing and a flat roof extension is not used as a balcony or party terrace.
Castle netted a tidy profit after selling his former home nearby for £7.5million.
The new build boasted a pool, games room and staff flat.
Other famous residents who live nearby include singer Joan Armatrading and former Chelsea footballers Cesar Azpilicueta, Petr Cech, Glen Johnson and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Castle netted a tidy profit after selling his former home nearby for £7.5million[/caption]
The new build boasted a pool, games room and staff flat[/caption]
Andrew famously hosted GMTV before it changed to Daybreak and then again to Good Morning Britain[/caption]
