£35m building work next door to Nigella Lawson's kitchen

Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi face yet more building work next to their Eaton Square flat after plans were lodged to convert two apartments into a palatial four-level home.

Residents warn the £35 million scheme, next door to the couple, will cause months of noise and disruption.

It comes after Mr Saatchi was so angered by scaffolding erected by neighbours upstairs, for separate work, that he allegedly had it removed.

The art collector and his TV cook wife are said to be looking to sell their flat for £36 million and have acquired a house in Chelsea. The redeveloped Eaton Square property will have a basement swimming pool, butler's pantry, five ensuite bedrooms, drawing room, library, billiard room, and staff bedsitting room. The garden would be rebuilt above the pool.

The work involves demolition, digging, drilling and piling that could go on for at least a year. Neighbour Tanja Gullestrup, 29, said: "It will be a bit of a nuisance but when you live in the square you become accustomed to it. If I was the next-door neighbour I'd have a major issue."

The planning application has been lodged with Westminster council by a Mr C Tripipatkul.