Netflix star’s fight to transform bungalow into glass fronted mansion steps up as he launches third bid after rejections
A NETFLIX star is trying for a third time to turn his bungalow into a glass-fronted mansion for his family, after his two previous bids were rejected.
Top Boy actor Ashley Walters, 41, who lives in Kent, is hoping it will be third time lucky in his battle with Canterbury City Council (CCC) to get his plans for an extension approved.
The dad-of-eight, who plays drug kingpin Dushane in the drama, also had his plans turned down by the planning inspectorate in April this year.
In giving his reasons for rejecting the appeal, inspector Stewart Glassar called the designs “strident, discordant and overpowering”.
Mr Walters 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.
Despite the rejections, the actor has now lodged a fresh application to CCC.
From papers filed with the council, it looks like the former rapper still wants to expand the front and rear of his property but the plans have now been scaled back.
A new architect has been brought in to draw up new plans which show significant changes to the previous designs which were submitted originally in 2022 and then again last year.
Under the original plans, Mr Walters 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.”
Mr Walters 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.
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.”
How to appeal if your home extension plan is rejected
You’ll need planning permission for certain types of extension, and it could get rejected by your local planning authority if you don’t stick to the rules.
Andrew Cann, director of Planning Direct, a planning consultancy based in the East of England, said there are ways to appeal if your initial application for an extension is rejected.
“Your home extension can be rejected because it is too large, is not in character with the area or it cause harm to neighbours – such as overshadowing or overlooking,” he said.
In order to appeal, you’ll need to prepare a Statement of Case.
This is a document setting out why you believe the extension should be granted in planning policy terms – an expert can help you with this, but they will charge.
This is sent along with an appeal form to the Planning Inspectorate.
This is a government body independent of your local council, which will check whether the planning authority which refused you was correct to do so.
There is normally no fee to submit a planning appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
The main cost is the fee you’ll need to give a consultant or solicitor to prepare and manage it on your behalf – the amount will depend on the case.
The truth is, there is no guarantee to winning your appeal – and you should be wary of any solicitor or consultant that promises you a victory.
“Any one consultant who says an appeal will definitely be won should be avoided” said Andrew.
That said, there are some tips that can help you on your way to a win. “Take a look around – if other nearby homeowners have made similar changes, the chances are you will win,” said Andrew.
Another thing to look out for is that your application may have been refused on a technicality or just because of a missing detail.
“Sometimes it is worth re-applying with a modified version if the council only wants small changes. A re-application is free within a year of the first refusal,” said Andrew.
But if an appeal is mishandled and refused this can “blight” the property and you will not get permission in future.
There are some challenges when you are looking to appeal.
You must establish that the extension complies with local planning policy and importantly does not harm others.
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.”
Mr Walters, 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 Mr Walters 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.”