Top Boy star has ‘overpowering’ bid to extend bungalow REJECTED – but he says ‘my kids will bang their heads on ceiling’
A TOP BOY star has had his latest “overpowering” bid to build an extension to his home rejected.
Actor Ashley Walters, 41, who lives in Kent, has had is latest attempt to build an extension to his family’s bungalow rejected after he lodged an appeal.
He previously said his “kids will bang their heads on the ceiling” if the plans were rejected, adding he was likely he would have to move house.
Ashley, who plans drug boss Dushane in the popular Netflix drama, has already had two applications to extend his property rejected by Canterbury City Council officials.
Now the planning inspectorate has also turned down his plans.
In giving his reasons for rejecting the appeal, inspector Stewart Glassar called the designs “strident, discordant and overpowering”.
Under Ashley’s plans, he had wanted to build a two-storey front extension plus a single-storey extension at the rear, along with a balcony.
After a visit to the property in January, the inspector said: “The main issue is the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the dwelling and wider area.”
While he noted some of the proposed features are “no doubt designed to minimise the size and scale of the works, and thus their visual effect”, he added “the result would nevertheless be a significantly larger building”.
He wrote: “The principal and side elevations would have a much greater overall massing, that would noticeably contrast with the immediately neighbouring bungalows.
“Once extended, the building would have a strident, discordant and overpowering appearance.
“As a result, it would dominate and significantly harm this part of the street scene.”
Ashley told KentOnline in December he had wanted to extend his home because his two daughters were getting taller.
He said: “It’s about making it slightly bigger in height because it’s a bungalow conversion.
“The top floor is essentially in the roof, which means you’re kind of ducking, and as the kids grow they’ll be banging heads on the ceiling.
“So we are just trying to make that a bit higher.”
Ashley added he was a “big fan” of the area and his kids were settled in school and currently had no intention of moving his family back to London.
MAY MOVE
However, he said: “It’s highly likely that if we can’t get it the way we want to, we’ll have to move out of this part of Kent.
“We would just have to find somewhere else locally that suits our needs.”
Ashley has also noted in the past the city council approved plans for a housing estate on farmland opposite his home, even though neighbours objected.
He said: “It is frustrating knowing that the area is forever changing.
“There’s a lot of properties being built up across the road, which is going to change the street view for good anyway.”
However, Mr Glassar said: “The appellant highlights other extensions to dwellings that have been approved nearby and new houses which are being built in the vicinity of the appeal site.
“Whilst these provide useful context and information, I have considered the appeal proposal on its individual merits and concerning the specific circumstances of the site and its surrounds.”
In conclusion, he said: “The proposed development would have an unacceptable effect on the character and appearance of the area.
“The proposal would also be contrary to provisions within the National Planning Policy Framework which include requirements that development should add to the overall quality of an area and be sympathetic to local character.”
LOUIS THEROUX INTERVIEW
Ashley, a former member of the So Solid Crew, also discussed his planning battle with Louis Theroux in an interview last year.
He referred to a separate bid to add a swimming pool, cinema and gym in the garden – but this was not considered as part of the appeal.
On the BBC Two show, Louis asked: “You mentioned there was a planning application war?”
To which Ashley replied: “There was, yeah. We’ve appealed and we are going to try to go to committee.
“And, I guess after that, it’s moving really.”