CAPITA FOUNDER LEADS REVOLT AGAINST HOUSING PLANS ON HIS LUXURY ESTATE

The founder of Capita and his wife are leading objections by over 30 of their neighbours in the 'Millionaire's Playground' in Surrey against plans for two mansions by luxury developers from Dundee.

Sir Rod Aldridge and Lady Carol Aldridge have called for the local council to refuse the 'unacceptable' plans for two five-bedroom houses.

They are joined by the Managing Director of Goldman Sachs and a charity boss in opposing the plans, on an estate where homes are owned by sports stars such as Tennis ace Andy Murray and former Crystal Palace captain Scott Dann.

The proposals would see an existing house and garden pool building in the leafy Oxshott estate demolished to make way for two new buildings, planning documents show.

Both proposed houses would include double garages, indoor gyms, drawing rooms and libraries, plans submitted by Andrew Long of Iconic Architectural Design on behalf of the owners show.

Sir Rod and Lady Carol have submitted a formal objection to the plans through development consultancy Alsop Verrill.

Their objection, submitted on March 15, reads: 'The erection of two large detached houses on the plot is discordant with the character and appearance of the estate.

'The excessive sizes of the two houses proposed relative to the resultant plot sizes will have a profoundly adverse effect upon the character and appearance of the area.

'We note that 32 objection to the development proposed have already been submitted to the local planning authority along broadly similar lines. There can be no good reason not to issue a decision notice refusing the grant of planning permission.'

Land registry documents show the plot is owned by Hassan Maki Al Saffar and Juman Al Saffar, who purchased the property for £2,975,000 on September 14 2018.

The Al Saffars are listed as directors of H & H Properties (UK) Ltd, a Dundee waterfront luxury housing developer.

Sir Rod and Lady Carol added in their objection: 'It is noted that Mr and Mrs Al Saffar do not live at [the address], but elsewhere in Oxshott. It would not be unreasonable to believe that as they…live elsewhere that they are speculative developers.'

The Alridges also claimed the Al Saffars had not implemented a previous planning permission they had been granted in November 2021 for a gated, detached two-storey house featuring a garage.

H & H properties has been contacted for comment.

In its planning statement, Iconic Architectural Design said: 'The properties proposed will be of high quality and the proposed dwellings will also provide adequate levels of amenity to future occupiers, without compromising the residential amenity of neighbouring properties.

'Careful design considerations have been taken into account to ensure the proposed development achieves high quality design by conserving, respecting and responding positively to the character and appearance of the local area, as well as the amenity of the neighbouring properties.

'The design of the development has been carefully considered to ensure the development is sustainable and that it conserves and enhances the natural environment, wildlife habitats and biodiversity, by retaining existing planting where possible, as well as incorporating new planting.'

This dispute is raging on an estate in Oxshott which is full of palatial mansions and where residents often submit elaborate plans for building projects, which attract scores of complaints.

The plans are also opposed by Melissa Plaza-Marriott, the MD of Goldman Sachs - who lives in a £4.7million mansion with her husband, Clifton 'Clif' Marriott, Goldman's co-head of European head of technology, media and telecoms investment banking.

Mrs Plaza-Marriott wrote, in an objection filed on February 23: 'The proposal's negative environmental impact to the area will be significant by reducing vegetation, mature trees, and natural habitat for wildlife, birds, and insects.

'Green space is essential for creating a peaceful, quiet, and healthy environment. Trees and hedges in the area should be protected and retained.'

When approached by MailOnline on the plans, she declined to comment further.

Another neighbour who has objected is charity boss Patrick Riley, who once hit the headlines for becoming embroiled in a fierce battle with his neighbours over plans for a small hill.

Mr Riley, who was the chairman and a trustee of The Brenley Trust, had won permission to build a staff quarters behind his Surrey mansion in November 2020 - but plans for a five-foot mound were scrapped after claims it would overlook his neighbours' private swimming pool.

In an objection to the latest plans, Mr Riley has written on February 23 this year: 'The proposal, by reason of its scale, mass, bulk, positioning and proximity to the plot boundaries would result in an unacceptable harmful impact upon the amenity of neighbouring properties by reason of an overbearing impact.'

The Aldridges themselves previously launched a failed bid to challenge plans for what they called an 'overly large,' six-bedroom house next door to them which they claimed would overshadow their own mansion.

In January 2021, the local authority approved the plans for the two-storey building, which was also to feature an external swimming pool, ancillary accommodation and parking.

The Aldridges had won permission to build an extended wing including an orangery at their own extensive home in 2012, despite objections from the Birds Hill Oxshott Estate Company, a committee which considered all the applications on the estate.

Sir Rodney, who had been named in the Sunday Times Rich List last year as being worth £135million, founded Capita which is now an international outsourcing company with lucrative armed forces training and recruitment contracts.

He and Lady Carol now run the Aldridge Foundation, an educational charity which promotes academy schools in England and encourages entrepreneurship among young people.

Elmbridge Borough Council is now considering the Al Saffars application.

2024-05-08T16:18:56Z dg43tfdfdgfd