Saturday, November 16, 2024

Robbie Williams set for battle over plans to fell fungus-riddled tree at his £17.5m London home – that sits on cusp of Led Zeppelin rocker Jimmy Page’s garden

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Robbie Williams is set for battle with his neighbours yet again over plans to cut down a fungus-riddled tree at his mansion, which is next door to Led Zeppelin star Jimmy Page’s home.

The 50-year-old singer-songwriter applied to his local council for permission to fell the problematic Norway maple which he said is infected.

The Angels singer owns a £17.5million London home with a garden filled with mature trees near the Holland Park area of Kensington and Chelsea.

Images show the rotting tree in his garden, which borders that of famous rocker Page, 80, next door.

The two musicians have been embroiled in a bitter feud for over 10 years after Page opposed Williams’ plans for an underground swimming pool and gym.

He also protested when Williams wanted to remove trees along their shared border.

Led Zeppelin star Jimmy Page’s house (left) with Robbie Williams’ property (right)

Damage to the tree

Robbie Williams is facing the wrath of his neighbours yet again over plans to cut down a fungus-riddled tree

Robbie Williams is facing the wrath of his neighbours yet again over plans to cut down a fungus-riddled tree (pictured) at his £17.5million London mansion

The 50-year-old singer-songwriter applied to his local council for permission to fell the problematic Norway maple which he said is infected

The 50-year-old singer-songwriter applied to his local council for permission to fell the problematic Norway maple which he said is infected

His garden borders that of famous rocker Jimmy Page, 80, (pictured in 2021) next door

His garden borders that of famous rocker Jimmy Page, 80, (pictured in 2021) next door

Williams claims his Norway maple tree is infected with Honey fungus, the name given to species of Armillaria that attack and kill the roots of many trees.

The pest is common in London and is said to be particularly prevalent in the Hampstead and Highgate areas in the north of the city.

The singer applied to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea last month to have the tree – which lies on the opposite side of the garden to the boundary with Page’s house – felled.

An application form, filled in on the singer’s behalf by tree surgeon Michael Goatly of Putney Tree Specialists, says: ‘Norway Maple – remove due extensive decay at the base (Honey fungus). Re-plant with species TBC.’

Asked if the applicant was concerned whether the condition of the tree had sparked fears that it might break or fall, Mr Goatly ticked the ‘yes’ box.

It is unclear if the application will trigger another chapter in the ongoing row between the two famous neighbours.

Honey fungus is common in London and is said to be particularly prevalent in the Hampstead and Highgate areas in the north of the city

Honey fungus is common in London and is said to be particularly prevalent in the Hampstead and Highgate areas in the north of the city

Pictures of the infected tree in Williams' garden

Pictures of the infected tree in his garden

Pictures of the infected tree in Williams’ garden

The two famous neighbours have been embroiled in a row for over 10 years

The two famous neighbours have been embroiled in a row for over 10 years

In 2015, Williams was forced to abandon plans to revamp his Grade II listed home by Page – who had lived in his Holland Park house since 1972.

The rocker claimed vibrations caused by digging a huge two-storey basement would damage priceless frescoes in his Grade I listed neighbouring house.

The Tower House walls were designed by William Burges, the 19th century architect and the home was previously owned by poet John Betjeman and actor Richard Harris.

But Williams was eventually granted permission for modifications to his home, beginning work in December last year.

He filed a report guaranteeing that noise from air conditioning units for his pool will not exceed 25 decibels and plans for his mega basement were approved.

Although Williams won the war, his legacy rock star neighbour was victorious in one battle, which meant the singer’s builders could only use hand-held tools to excavate the basement – taking years at great expense. 

Their feud escalated in 2017, when Williams suggested that the guitarist sat outside of his house to record workmen. But he later apologised after Page told him it wasn’t true.

The former Take That star was accused of ‘environmental vandalism’ by other neighbours last year after seeking to cut back 14 plants to allow more light to flood his property.

Jimmy Page's Kensington home in west London, where he has lived since 1972

Jimmy Page’s Kensington home in west London, where he has lived since 1972

Page also protested when Williams wanted to remove trees (pictured) along their shared border previously

Page also protested when Williams wanted to remove trees (pictured) along their shared border previously

The former Take That singer also chopped down a huge Robinia tree saying it had caused damage to his garden wall (pictured)

The former Take That singer also chopped down a huge Robinia tree saying it had caused damage to his garden wall (pictured)

He also recently felled a rotten robinia on his land in a battle that took 18 months after he initially failed to provide evidence that it was a danger.

Huge cracks left in the brickwork of his exterior wall showed the damage caused by the ageing trunk as it began to be pushed over.

The maple tree Williams now wishes to remove is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) meaning it cannot simply be chopped down.

The application has already received an objection, which reads: ‘There is no explanation as to why this tree need be felled, only a series of photos showing parts of it are damaged. 

‘Should there not be a written report that accompanies each proposed felling and what courses of action could be done before the final resort of felling this tree?’

The garden where it stands is also in a heavily-protected conservation area.

Planners from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea are expected to carry out a site visit shortly and will rule on the application by December 18.

MailOnline has contacted Williams’ representatives for comment. 

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