Mr Fairholme has been caught with his pants down. The Councillors are unlikely to be taken in by his excuse "I did not know what was being built. Now that I know that the basement is too big I am taking steps to put it right".
The guy is tough. He locked the Cranbrook builders out of the site and the police had to be called to handle an altercation between Fairholme and the workmen. About a dozen people squaring up and shouting one morning in Abingdon Villas
Mr Fairholme's claim that he did not know what was going on is bullshit. He is a hands on owner who has made 23 planning applications trying to push the boundaries of his basement application.
Sounds like he doesn't need a planning consultant. Sounds like he needs a psychiatrist. New line of service offering for Savills perhaps? They seem to be willing to do anything for money......
Greed, greed and more greed. It's the reason the rotten borough is the only one in London where the value of residential property reduced last year [FT 16/1/16].
Who wants to buy a house that will be surrounded by multiple building sites for years on end? And when the work is finished, all the neighbouring houses will be subject to ongoing subsidence and increased flood risk. Answer. No one.
Due to these mindless basement diggers Kensington, Chelsea and Knightsbridge are no longer attractive places to live. So the super rich take their money elsewhere and house prices drop.
It was established by the Council this afternoon that there is a discrepancy between the plans presented to the Council by the owner and the actual size of the basement that has been dug. The Council is deciding what to do next.
In the meantime it is not considered appropriate to present the Recommendation for Retrospective Approval to the Planning Committee tonight. Therefore the item has been withdrawn from the Agenda
Does the Council not recognise that they cannot manipulate the system in this way? If there is a dishonest application then it should be exposed in the Committee and the consequences determined.
In a democracy this kind of thing cannot just be removed to "behind closed doors"
This is a serious error of political judgement by RBKC.
The owner was scheduled to present his case tonight to the Planning Committee after objectors spoke against his retrospective basement application. And the press had arranged to attend.
The owner should have been asked to explain the reason why he submitted dishonest plans for his basement and the Chairman would then have had two decision options: (i) to refuse the application (ii) to adjourn the case for further consideration
It is essential in a democracy to get the facts on the public record. There is still no public record that Mr Fairholme's drawings are dishonest. It is essential for the Council to communicate this if the story is true.
This sort of thing happens all the time, but without the publicity.
Watch for immediate and strong RBKC enforcement against this illegitimate basement. If there's no sign of it, the scenario is likely to be the following:
There will be another attempt to obtain planning permission. The best time will be over Easter or the summer holidays, when most of the current objectors are likely to be away. When this occurs, all concerned will do their best to avoid public objections. This is so the case can be "buried" by so-called delegated powers. In the event of RBKC receiving less than 3 objections to the next application, officers will be free to grant whatever planning permission they wish, no matter how dubious the application.
If RBKC does act in the public interest in this case, it will be a sign that a corner has been turned. In that case, much of the thanks for such a change of policy will be due to the Dame.
The site is riddled with illegal practices. Water is being pumped illegally into the sewers because of the flooding and Thames Water has issued an enforcement notice.
The Council has an enforcement notice in operation but digging has continued at a furious pace in recent weeks. A large skip was removed last week AND the week before
The police had to be called when Fairholme fired Cranbrook basements and locked the workers out of the site. Confiscating their tools and equipment. There was a near riot in the street, Abingdon Villas
Given the press interest in this story it is important for the Royal Borough to issue a press release immediately explaining why the retrospective planning application was withdrawn at the 11th hour
This does not sound above board. To approve a basement retrospectively is a VERY big deal, if for no other reason that it is highly unusual. Approve this would have involved considerable time by officers, site visits and the direct involvement of Graham Stallwood. Are we really to believe no one noticed until hours before the planning meeting that the plans weren't accurate? Is it not the duty of officers to confirm whether information provided is accurate, particularly when neighbours have raised alarms? Feels there is more to this story than we are being led to believe.
Submitting false information to a public official is a criminal act. Mr. Stallwood needs to publicly commit to investigate what was submitted and by whom and to make the results of that available to the public. If the facts are as represented, either Mr. Fairholme, Savills or a planning officer must answer to the justice system. This is certainly not the only case where false information has been provided. No doubt there are a few builders and owners shaking in their boots right now. Thank you Mr. Fairholme for bringing this problem to the front and centre.
The issue is not simply Savills part in it, but a system that positively encourages private agreements between developers and officers. Will any officers be named and held to account over this disgraceful matter?
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Mr Fairholme has been caught with his pants down. The Councillors are unlikely to be taken in by his excuse "I did not know what was being built. Now that I know that the basement is too big I am taking steps to put it right".
ReplyDeleteWhere were you born, mate?
This guy deserves an Oscar for the size of his porkies
DeleteBasement builder Cranbrook fell out with Fairholme because they refused to build a non approved basement.
ReplyDeleteThe guy is tough. He locked the Cranbrook builders out of the site and the police had to be called to handle an altercation between Fairholme and the workmen. About a dozen people squaring up and shouting one morning in Abingdon Villas
ReplyDeleteThe gentlefolk of Kensington do not need this kind of trash living close by
DeleteIncredible how these City guys think they can do whatever takes their fancy. To hell with the rest of the world
ReplyDeleteThe Managing Director of Cranbook Basements wrote to Fairholme in August last year (the letter is public record)to say
Delete"we will have no part in this flagrant disregard of of legal requirements"
"this manipulative behaviour is neither productive or helpful"
"please confirm that the plans issued to Cranbrook have received planning permission from RBKC"
Says it all.
"I did not know what was going on".
DeleteReally??????
Mr Fairholme's claim that he did not know what was going on is bullshit. He is a hands on owner who has made 23 planning applications trying to push the boundaries of his basement application.
DeleteHe knew EXACTLY what was going on.
Kensington has suffered dreadfully following the arrival of this type of person
ReplyDeleteNot only Kensington. The whole world.....
ReplyDeleteSounds like he doesn't need a planning consultant. Sounds like he needs a psychiatrist. New line of service offering for Savills perhaps? They seem to be willing to do anything for money......
ReplyDeleteThe reptile deserves to be monstered
ReplyDeleteGreed, greed and more greed. It's the reason the rotten borough is the only one in London where the value of residential property reduced last year [FT 16/1/16].
ReplyDeleteWho wants to buy a house that will be surrounded by multiple building sites for years on end? And when the work is finished, all the neighbouring houses will be subject to ongoing subsidence and increased flood risk. Answer. No one.
Due to these mindless basement diggers Kensington, Chelsea and Knightsbridge are no longer attractive places to live. So the super rich take their money elsewhere and house prices drop.
RBKC will pay dearly for their misdeeds....
ReplyDeleteOnly if and when residents vote en masse for A.N. Other.
ReplyDeleteThe retrospective planning application has been withdrawn from the Planning Meeting tonight. No reason has been given.
ReplyDeleteDame, do you know what is going on??
It was established by the Council this afternoon that there is a discrepancy between the plans presented to the Council by the owner and the actual size of the basement that has been dug. The Council is deciding what to do next.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime it is not considered appropriate to present the Recommendation for Retrospective Approval to the Planning Committee tonight. Therefore the item has been withdrawn from the Agenda
This is WORSE THAN APPALLING. A cover up.
DeleteDoes the Council not recognise that they cannot manipulate the system in this way? If there is a dishonest application then it should be exposed in the Committee and the consequences determined.
In a democracy this kind of thing cannot just be removed to "behind closed doors"
Heads must roll.
I am speechless
DeleteGoes to show the power of the press. Story exposed in the Evening Standard last night followed by collapse of the stout party
DeleteIf there is a discrepancy between the plans given to the Council and what has actually been dug, then the solution is simple.
ReplyDeleteNo retrospective approval!
What is this Council playing at? Who is taking back handers? Who is masterminding the cover up?
We live in a World of make believe
ReplyDeleteThis is a serious error of political judgement by RBKC.
ReplyDeleteThe owner was scheduled to present his case tonight to the Planning Committee after objectors spoke against his retrospective basement application. And the press had arranged to attend.
The owner should have been asked to explain the reason why he submitted dishonest plans for his basement and the Chairman would then have had two decision options:
(i) to refuse the application
(ii) to adjourn the case for further consideration
It is essential in a democracy to get the facts on the public record. There is still no public record that Mr Fairholme's drawings are dishonest. It is essential for the Council to communicate this if the story is true.
DeleteThis sort of thing happens all the time, but without the publicity.
ReplyDeleteWatch for immediate and strong RBKC enforcement against this illegitimate basement. If there's no sign of it, the scenario is likely to be the following:
There will be another attempt to obtain planning permission. The best time will be over Easter or the summer holidays, when most of the current objectors are likely to be away. When this occurs, all concerned will do their best to avoid public objections. This is so the case can be "buried" by so-called delegated powers. In the event of RBKC receiving less than 3 objections to the next application, officers will be free to grant whatever planning permission they wish, no matter how dubious the application.
If RBKC does act in the public interest in this case, it will be a sign that a corner has been turned. In that case, much of the thanks for such a change of policy will be due to the Dame.
The site is riddled with illegal practices. Water is being pumped illegally into the sewers because of the flooding and Thames Water has issued an enforcement notice.
DeleteIt is quite incredible that matters have reached this advanced stage and NOT A SINGLE FINE or refused permission has occurred.
ReplyDeleteTruly the Wild West. If you have money in Kensington you can do anything
The Council has an enforcement notice in operation but digging has continued at a furious pace in recent weeks. A large skip was removed last week AND the week before
DeleteThe police had to be called when Fairholme fired Cranbrook basements and locked the workers out of the site. Confiscating their tools and equipment. There was a near riot in the street, Abingdon Villas
DeleteGiven the press interest in this story it is important for the Royal Borough to issue a press release immediately explaining why the retrospective planning application was withdrawn at the 11th hour
ReplyDeleteWhat is going on?
ReplyDeleteThank goodness I do not live next door to Fairholme. Sharing a Party Wall with this man must be a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteFairholme needs to be MONSTERED
ReplyDeleteThere must be some red faces over at Savills. Getting close and personal with Officers in "fix it" meetings using dishonest plans.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a boy Savills would never have been involved in this kind of thing
ReplyDeleteThis does not sound above board. To approve a basement retrospectively is a VERY big deal, if for no other reason that it is highly unusual. Approve this would have involved considerable time by officers, site visits and the direct involvement of Graham Stallwood. Are we really to believe no one noticed until hours before the planning meeting that the plans weren't accurate? Is it not the duty of officers to confirm whether information provided is accurate, particularly when neighbours have raised alarms? Feels there is more to this story than we are being led to believe.
ReplyDeleteSubmitting false information to a public official is a criminal act. Mr. Stallwood needs to publicly commit to investigate what was submitted and by whom and to make the results of that available to the public. If the facts are as represented, either Mr. Fairholme, Savills or a planning officer must answer to the justice system. This is certainly not the only case where false information has been provided. No doubt there are a few builders and owners shaking in their boots right now. Thank you Mr. Fairholme for bringing this problem to the front and centre.
ReplyDeleteThe issue is not simply Savills part in it, but a system that positively encourages private agreements between developers and officers. Will any officers be named and held to account over this disgraceful matter?
ReplyDelete