Man faces DEMOLISHING £4m Sandbanks home after Channel 4 star neighbour’s complaints over balcony overlooking garden

A MAN could be forced to demolish his £4million home after his Channel 4 star neighbour complained of a balcony overlooking a garden. Neil Kennedy, 69, has been involved in a planning row with celebrity interior designer Celia Sawyer, known as “Mrs Bling”, who lives next door in affluent Sandbanks, Dorset. A man could be forced to demolish his £4million home after his TV star neighbour complained about a balcony overlooking her garden Credit: BNPS Neil Kennedy, 69, replaced his bungalow overlooking Poole Harbour with a three-storey home Credit: BNPS The retired accountant had ripped down his old chalet bungalow, that overlooks Poole Harbour, in 2023 and rebuilt it as a swish three-storey development. But Mr Kennedy’s neighbour, Garth Weston, was left fuming when he realised Mr Kennedy’s builder hadn’t stuck to the approved plans during the building process. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! The unauthorised changes included extending a balcony which then overlooked Celia’s garden. Celia – who stars in Channel 4’s Four Rooms – claimed the bigger balcony invaded her privacy, especially as she often sunbathed in her bikini. Celia Sawyer – who stars in Channel 4’s Four Rooms – opposed the construction of her neighbour’s balcony Credit: BNPS Pictured: Celia Sawyer’s property (white) and neighbour Neil Kennedy’s (red) Credit: BNPS Windows were also added to the side of the house, including one that looked directly into Mr Weston’s bedroom, and a noisy air conditioning unit was built on the flat roof. BCP Council told Mr Kennedy he had to apply for retrospective planning permission for the property which has three bedrooms and an indoor swimming pool and gym. Officials approved this in January 2024, much to the annoyance of Mr Weston and Ms Sawyer who accused the council of failing to stand up to their neighbour. Mr Weston ended up taking the local authority to the High Court over the matter, claiming the planning process had been unlawful. Most read in Money Most significantly, he said, was that the council planning officer failed to visit the site and so could not get a clear understanding of the impact the changes had on Mr Weston and Ms Sawyer’s homes. Judge Andrew Keyser KC ruled in Mr Weston’s favour, rendering the planning consent invalid. He said: “The officer did not visit the properties; arguable this did not enable a correct understanding of the subject development and the impact on neighbouring properties. “The errors in the officer’s report went beyond typing errors and there was a material misunderstanding of the factual position which renders the decision unlawful.” The judge quashed the council’s decision, leaving Mr Kennedy’s home illegal. He also ordered Lib Dem-run BCP Council to pay Mr Weston’s £14,754 court costs. The local authority has refused to disclose its costs. Celia Sawyer said her neighbour’s balcony overlooked her garden, claiming it invaded her privacy Credit: Simon Jones The properties have rear gardens which back onto the water and have panoramic views over Poole Harbour Credit: BNPS More than two years later Mr Kennedy has now submitted a fresh planning application in a desperate bid to be allowed to keep his three storey home. The application is to “erect a replacement dwelling” even thought it is already there. His planning consultant Martin Hanham appeared to lay the blame at the feet of the builders and architects who carried out the work, claiming Mr Kennedy was clueless that consent would be needed for any changes. In a letter to the planning department Mr Hanham said: “I would like to point out that my client is not a builder or developer, but a retired accountant. “Having secured planning consent for the replacement dwelling, he put all the building works in the hands of a local construction company who appointed another firm of architects to deal with the building regulation application. “My client was aware that very minor changes were made during the construction phase but he was not aware as to whether any form of planning consent was required and if so whether such consents had been secured. “Given that all the changes made to the approved plans have now been inspected on site by your council and it has been confirmed none of the changes made raise any planning issues, I trust that an approval will be forthcoming in the near future.” The Sandbanks Neighbourhood Forum has objected to the latest application stating the design does not comply with the policies on overlooking and impact on neighbours and noise. They said: “The plant location or noise generation should be properly considered as it is right next to the east boundary and also reinstating the privacy screens from the first approval, the only current approval. “We suggest the Planning Officer makes a proper assessment of this application.” It does not appear that any enforcement action has been taken against Mr Kennedy, despite the house not being approved in its current form four years after it was completed. The Sun has contacted BCP Council and Ms Sawyer for comment. Comment now