A BITTER row has broken out between London residents and property TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp and her partner Ben Andersen.
Kirstie‘s partner Ben, who owns a Victorian pub in the London borough of Kensington, has been the subject of an angry neighbourhood dispute as it appears the pub is ‘expanding’ outside.
Wooden posts have been erected on the street outside the pub, with residents claiming the work is ‘trying to illegally bypass’ planning laws and potentially extend to an outdoor terrace.
However property developer Ben, who is renovating the building in a bid to have it ran by a landlord as a micro brewery or distillery, has claimed the wooden posts are temporary and to help get rid of building waste.
There has reportedly been no application to the council for the posts or for an outdoor terrace at the property.
Reports to the Mail Online claim that residents have complained to the council over the wooden posts outside the building, as they argue: “There’s some dodgy business going on with attempts to illegally extend the front of the property for more trading space.”
Another resident is said to have pointed out: “They’ve gone and extended onto the public pavement. They’ve whacked up massive wooden posts, getting ready to build an extension or a porch.
“The developer has messed with the public pavement before, and now he’s acting like it’s his.”
The residents have also called for the ‘unauthorised’ wooden posts to be taken down, and have stressed that it means less space for pedestrians, restricts wheelchair access and could mean more hazards for the public.
Planning enforcement officers from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea have launched an investigation after residents complained.
A spokesperson for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea said to the Mail Online: “Planning officers have received a complaint.
“We have advised the complainant that planning permission has not been granted for these works and we will investigate.”
Kirstie, who is well known for presenting property shows like Location, Location, Location or Love It or List It, has been with her partner Ben for 20 years.
Whilst the development of the pub is under Ben’s property development business, the building bears a huge sign above it which reads: “Allsopp’s since 1730”.
Last month the Location, Location, Location star was left devastated after the death of her father.
She paid tribute to Charles Allsopp, who was the 6th Baron Hindlip, after he passed away at home on June 5.
On social media, she wrote: “This is my Dad, Charlie Hindlip. He was a great auctioneer, the best of his generation, an artist, a gardener, a father of four, and grandfather of eight, a loving husband to a wife he lost too soon.
“He was a real star, he worked hard, played hard and went further than anyone ever expected.
“He died at home yesterday, surrounded by love, flowers & photographs, in a house he built, looking out over a stunning garden he created from scratch.
“I have been so proud to be his daughter all my life, and will be until the day I die. Bless you Dad, we loved you so much.”
Charles was the former chairman of iconic London auction house Christie’s until his retirement in 2002.
The Sun has contacted Ben Andersen for comment on this story.
