Robbie Williams threatens NEW court action in row with Jimmy Page

Robbie Williams threatens NEW court action in planning row with his Led Zeppelin star neighbour Jimmy Page – despite the council approving plans four months ago

• Robbie Williams has been locked in a planning battle with Jimmy Page after buying the mansion next door to Page’s Grade-I listed home in 2013
• He wants to build an underground swimming pool but Page says vibrations from the earthworks will damage his home
• Council planners approved Williams’ application in December on the condition Williams set aside money as a bond in case damage was caused
• Now lawyers for Williams have told the council such a condition is unlawful

Robbie Williams is once again challenging a council about his application to build a huge underground extension over the objections of his rockstar neighbour Jimmy Page, despite the council having approved the request four months ago.

Williams is now demanding the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea remove conditions attached to its approval of his plans, telling officers their suggestion he and Page mutually oversee the works would only open the door to further legal problems.

The Angels singer has been locked in a five-year battle with the Led Zepellin legend, over an application to add a subterranean gym and swimming pool to the Grade II listed home he bought in 2013.

But Page, who has lived in the adjacent Grade I listed Tower House since 1972, is concerned vibrations from the construction could damage the plasterwork in his own property.

The saga has seen Williams apologise for accusing Page of being ‘mentally unstable’ and Page deny accusing Williams of dressing in a blonde wig and playing Black Sabbath music loudly late at night to annoy him.

Council planners approved the scheme in December but stipulated the pair meet in advance of, and during, any construction works to ensure works were carried out to the satisfaction of both parties.

The council also attached the condition that Williams should set aside a pot of money as a bond, to be forfeited to make good any damage to Page’s property which might arise.

But lawyers for the former Take That frontman have now dismissed the idea, telling planners that the scheme lies beyond their authority and would constitute grounds for a judicial review of the decision in the future.

Jimmy Page has lived in Grade I listed Tower House (pictured) in Kensington and Chelsea since 1972

Robbie Williams bought the adjacent, Grade II listed, property in 2013 and put forward plans to build a subterranean gym and 30ft swimming pool

In December the council finally approved Williams’ planning application to extend Woodland House underground.

But they imposed the condition that a ‘special meeting’ be held between the stars as to how to move forward, and a bond set aside.

They also discussed insisting workers only use hand tools to construct the basement, and that Page be consulted on arrangements to monitor vibration levels and ground movements during the works.

But now lawyers for Williams are arguing such a bond is illegal under planning law and has threatened legal action against the council if they do not come to a straightforward decision.

In planning documents, Timothy Starker QC, acting on behalf of Williams, wrote: ‘The Committee resolved that planning permission should be granted subject to completion of a section 106 agreement, containing, if possible, a mechanism to ensure active and meaningful engagement between applicant and neighbour prior to submission of a monitoring strategy for approval by the authority and provision of a bond to be provided and held for use in the event that damage occurred.

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page (left) has found Angels singer Robbie Williams (right) a troublesome neighbour since the latter moved next door five years ago

Page does not want Williams to build a subterranean swimming pool and gym as he fears it will damage his Grade I listed Tower House, where he has lived since 1972

The battle of the bands: How former Take That star and Led Zep legend are at loggerheads

The pair have been involved in a five-year dispute over Williams’ plans for an underground gym and swimming pool at his home in Kensington, west London. 

Page has raised fears that construction work carried out by Williams could damage his Grade I listed gothic revival mansion, Tower House, and its ornately decorated interior of stained glass, decorative plasterwork and ceramic tiling.

The Stairway To Heaven guitarist said vibrations and ground movement in particular could cause irreversible damage, with the homes around 43ft (13m) apart.

In January this year, Robbie was said to have mocked Jimmy by dressing up as his bandmate Robert Plant and playing rival rock music outside his neighbour’s home, according to reports. 

Last year a committee chairman at Kensington Town Hall suggested the celebrities should meet and try to put their differences aside. 

‘The damage contemplated appears to be damage to the Tower House.’

He went on: ‘This case reveals certain difficulties. I am asked whether it would be lawful for planning permission to be granted having taken into consideration a section 106 obligation to provide a bond.

‘I consider the answer is no, it would not be lawful. 

‘The bond is not a planning obligation.

‘The present case runs a very clear risk of producing, if this is the case, a planning permission capable of being quashed by judicial review.

‘It reveals the likelihood of a consideration being brought into account which ought not to be brought into account. Such is a classic basis for judicial review. The bond, as presently contemplated, appears impassible.’

Mr Starker insisted a bond is not a legal planning obligation under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and insisted a decision would now have to be made on the planning application.

Williams – who has had two previous planning applications refused after objections from Page – lives with his wife Ayda Field and their three children.

His builders were fined £4,670 in 2017 for breaching noise regulations following a complaint by Page.

In 2017 Williams apologised to Page after likening some of his behaviour to someone with a ‘mental illness’.

Mr Page commissioned architects, civil engineers and historic building experts to write reports on the significance of his home and the threat posed by potential building work.

A spokesperson for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council said: ‘We have been clear that this is primarily a matter for Mr Williams and Mr Page to resolve, though we’re also clear there’s a significant public interest in preserving the Tower House as a grade I listed building.

‘The Planning Applications Committee wanted the possibility of a bond explored as a potential way of making sure Tower House is suitably protected. We continue to consider all evidence associated with this case.’

Representatives for Williams and Page have been contacted for comment.

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