EXCLUSIVE: Strictly Come Dancing champion Bill Bailey launches new planning to battle to convert flats into £2million west London home with swimming pool

  • Bill Bailey has launched a planning battle to convert two flats into a £2m home
  • He submitted the extravagant plans to Hammersmith and Fulham Council
  • Covid halted the Strictly star’s 2018 plans, but they were accepted by the Strictly stars in 2018. 
  • Due to noise disturbance, three neighbors objected the plans as originally proposed. 

Strictly Come Dancing winner Bill Bailey has launched a new planning battle to convert two flats into a £2 million home and splash out on a swimming pool.

A comedian, musician, and actor is considering a development right next to his current ground floor apartment in a designated conservation zone in west London. However, some neighbors are opposed to the idea.

Bailey (57) plans to create a two-bedroom apartment with internal stairs. This will allow Bailey to connect separate 1-bedroom flats located on ground floor and first floors of a Victorian home.

According to the council records, he wants to build a ground-floor extension that will create an “extended living space” with white-rendered walls. This would match the modern extension on his next-door ground floor property.

Bill Bailey, 57, and his dance partner Oti Mabuse (pictured) were crowned Strictly Come Dancing winners in 2020

Bill Bailey, aged 57, was crowned Strictly Dancing winner in 2020 with his partner Oti Mbuse (pictured).  

Plans also call for excavating rear yard to construct a 6 m x 3 m pool with a “movable rising/lowering deck” that matches the surrounding limestone terrace.

Bailey, who is a panellist on television shows like Have I Got News For You and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, also plans to construct a pool filter room below ground, accessible via a landscaped terrace.

His wife Kristin and her husband of 24 years, Kristin, have submitted Hammersmith and Fulham Council a planning request for the project. Kristin was formerly a costume designer and now manages his business affairs.

The proposed ground floor plan for Bailey's £2 million extension. The plans were submitted to Hammersmith and Fulham Council and are awaiting approval

The proposed ground floor plan for Bailey’s £2 million extension. Hammersmith and Fulham Council received the plans and is awaiting their approval. 

According to documentation, although the couple had originally been granted planning consent in 2018, they were not able to move forward with building work as a result of Covid restrictions.

Due to work being completed beyond the three-year time frame set by council, they have had to apply again for permission.

New application suggests a reduction in the pool’s size, originally designed to measure 13m x 5m.

Bailey, who was crowned Strictly Come Dancing’s winner with his dance partner Oti Mbuse, is still waiting for confirmation that he has been granted planning permission.

This image shows the rear ground floor extension at Bailey's home - next door to the planned proposed development site

This photo shows Bailey’s back ground floor extension – right next to the site of the planned development. 

The original plan was opposed by three neighbours, two of whom were from the same house, and raised concerns over ‘increased noise & disturbance caused by the construction process.

Residents also expressed concerns about the ‘increased noise and light polluting arising from use of the extension/pool’ and suggested that it was an “overdevelopment of the site”.

Another objection about “a number of structures existing at the application site” and “animals currently accommodated at this site” were also ruled out by the council as not being within the scope of the planning application.

In the proposed new application, a glazed roof will be placed on Bailey’s ground-floor flat to cover the access from the next-door development.

The view of the next door garden that Bailey wants to develop. The comedian plans to make a single two bedroom apartment by installing internal stairs to combine separate one bedroom flats on the ground and first floor of a Victorian house

Bailey’s dream garden view. The comedian plans to make a single two bedroom apartment by installing internal stairs to combine separate one bedroom flats on the ground and first floor of a Victorian house

A doorway made from antique doors will provide access to the interior.

Bailey’s agent originally stated that the reconfigured apartment would include a ground-floor single-storey rear extension. This will allow for an expanded living space and strong relationship to the landscaping.

The key components include full height bifold glass and white rendered wall to achieve a visually harmonious counterpart. [next door].’

Alexander Green, the planning officer, made a recommendation for approval of the original 2018 plans.

He stated at that time, “It was considered that the proposed would not have an unacceptable impact on the amenities and the appearance of nearby residential properties.

“The appearance and character of the buildings that are designated as a host for merit and terrace, and other conservation areas would be maintained.”

Others who have lived nearby include actor Nicholas Lyndhurst, Top Gear host James May, MP Michael Gove and Miranda Hart.

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