EMILY PRESCOTT: Emma Thompson leads A-list Hampstead residents in celebration as local council blocks ‘Malibu’ mansion from their leafy enclave
It's a great line-up that guarantees a series of sold-out shows in the West End.
And now A-listers Dame Emma Thompson, Imelda Staunton, Jim Broadbent, Greg Wise and Sir Derek Jacobi are enjoying another triumph after successfully foiling a plan to build a 'Malibu-style' home in their green suburb in north London.
The crème de la crème of the theater world united in a fight against plans to build the ultra-modern aluminum and glass house in London's Hampstead, and after a protracted battle, Camden Council rejected the proposal last week.
It comes after Greg Wise and his wife Dame Emma called the plan 'completely inappropriate' when the designs were unveiled earlier this year. In their objection letter to the municipality they said: 'This is the wrong design in the wrong place. It would fit perfectly in Malibu, but not in our nature reserve.'
Dame Emma Thompson, pictured, was among celebrities to oppose a planning application in Hampstead, north London
Crown star Imelda Staunton, who played the late Queen Elizabeth II, also opposed the application
Jim Broadbent, pictured, also opposed the planned development
Downton Abbey star Jim Carter and his wife Imelda Staunton, who played Queen Elizabeth in The Crown, also protested what they described as the “uncompromising and stark, gray aluminum 'barn' design.”
The couple, who have lived in their home for 30 years, told the council: 'This proposed building poses a serious threat to our ability to enjoy our garden and a serious threat to the plants and creatures that share it with us.' They said the garden is their “main passion”, which was created “organically and sustainably” and that they had seen “36 bird species, including some real rarities”.
Actor Richard Clifford, who lives with his partner Sir Derek Jacobi, described the 'out of character' designs as 'more appropriate on a very modern industrial estate', while Jim Broadbent said the development would 'radically change the unique character of the area' . .
In rejecting the application, Camden's head of planning Daniel Pope said: 'The proposed development would result in a detrimental view of communal gardens and would be detrimental to the amenity of neighboring residents.'