SCORED THE WINNER Premier League star in neighbour row over basketball court & firepit built without permission WINS battle to keep them

A PREMIER League star in an intense row with his neighbour over a basketball court and firepit has won a battle to keep them.

Posted Monday, September 16, 2024 by Thesun.co.uk

Ben Chilwell, 27, became embroiled in the disagreement when he raised the back garden of his £5m Surrey mansion and erected a retaining wall for a new walkway.

Ben Chilwell has won a battle to keep his basketball court and firepit at his mansion

But the Chelsea defender failed to get the go-ahead for the Ground Force-style makeover at his luxury five-bed pad which boasts a swimming pool, gym and two games rooms.

He needed consent from the local council for the "engineering operation" and faced a possible red card over the unauthorised development.

His next-door neighbour objected, citing loss of privacy and overlooking, but the council have now granted retrospective permission for the landscape alterations.

In his ruling, a planning officer said: "Despite the change in levels in this part of the garden, it is considered that the works do not significantly alter the overall land levels of the application site.

"Moreover, the works are located in the rear garden and would not be visible from the street scene and are therefore acceptable.

"The proposed development is considered in terms of scale, form, bulk, height, massing, spacing and design, and there would be no adverse impact on the character of the area or the visual amenities of the street scene as a result of the proposals."

Chilwell wants to plant new laurel and yew hedges to provide screening with further soft planting in grey, green and purple - but no blue.

He also wants to splash out on a stone-stepped pool seating area with glass balustrade, and new paving at his home near Chelsea's Cobham training ground.

Documents submitted as part of the planning application reveal that building work on the sunken fire pit and basketball court started in April but has not yet been completed.

In a letter objecting, the neighbour wrote: "This increase in height means someone in this section of the garden or on the firepit walkway now has direct line of sight into our garden, terrace and kitchen area.

"This is a loss of amenity and the new levels mean we are now overlooked.

"We are keen to retain the privacy and amenity of our home, terrace and garden and whilst we would prefer the new ground levels not to be so high we appreciate that some mitigation through screening foliage has now been proposed."