Television property guru Sarah Beeny is planning to build a “mega basement” at her south London home, the third extension to the house in eight years.
The Help! My House is Falling Down presenter said she was inspired to dig down after working with a specialist basement building company during filming for one of her TV shows. “I thought a basement extension sounded like a really interesting idea. We have four children and we need more space, including an additional bedroom, so it seems like a good idea.”
Beeny, 41, who lives in Streatham with her husband, artist Graham Swift, added: “We are still considering a basement development and we haven’t drawn up any plans yet. It is still an idea and is very much in the early stages. I have consulted my neighbours about the idea.”
However, some neighbours have already objected, fearing that noise and increased traffic could last for months.
Alessandra Brian, 22, whose family home backs on to Beeny’s house said: “My grandfather is quite sick, so this will not be ideal because he sleeps most of the day. She has little boys who don’t really speak, they scream, so maybe the noise will drown out their screaming.”
One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “My husband bumped into Sarah the other day and she told him about the idea. We haven’t heard anything else since then. Any building work would be very disruptive for us and we aren’t keen on the idea.”
Another neighbour said: “I think she has over-developed her property. It was quite a small house, but she has made it larger for her family.
“We will not be too enamoured if an application goes in. She has already had two major lots of work done.”
In 2005, Beeny and her husband built a first-floor side extension and a conservatory at the back of the Victorian cottage and in 2007, added a two-storey building.
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