Neighbours were said to be ‘massively relieved’ when restoration work began on George Michael’s London home earlier this year after it fell into disrepair.
Their relief has, however, turned to fury over plans by the late pop superstar’s sister to chop down historic trees.
The £10million Hampstead house was left to Yioda Panayiotou following the Wham! singer’s death on Christmas Day 2016 at the age 53.
He had lived in the property for a number of years, having purchased it in 1987, but opted for his Oxfordshire or Highgate mansions in the later years of his life.
The garden and home had fallen into disrepair during this time and photos taken last year showed the home remained untouched in the years since his death.
Yioda’s design team applied to Camden Council to remove a number of trees and prune others at the front and rear of the property, which is in a conservation area.
But the plans have faced fierce resistance from an angry next-door neighbour and the community group, Redington Frognal Neighbourhood Forum, which has called the application ‘regrettable’ and ‘very concerning’.
In two letters sent within a space of a few days, they said in the first that ‘any loss of mature trees which provide habitat for wildlife is regrettable.
Neighbours were said to be ‘massively relieved’ when restoration work began on George Michael’s, pictured, London home earlier this year after it fell into disrepair
The £10million Hampstead house was left to Yioda Panayiotou, pictured, following the Wham! singer’s death on Christmas Day 2016 at the age 53
The need for maintenance is neighbourhood recognised, but should not be undertaken during the nesting season’.
They added that the trees are of particular importance as the estate is ‘in an area with much underground water’.
They also asked that ‘all felled trees and shrubs are replaced with native species providing high value to wildlife’.
Yet four days later, after reviewing previous planning applications which included tree felling, it lambasted the plans.
‘Having now checked the history of intent to fell notifications over the past years, it is very concerning that three mature forest trees have been lost: two poplars and a sycamore.
‘The Neighbourhood Forum would like to suggest that the current works should include the replacement of two of the previously felled poplars. They would be ideal for helping to address surface water runoff in such a wet area, in addition to providing valuable wildlife habitat.
‘In the light of this history, it would be appreciated if the previous comment could be amended to an objection,’ stated the group, which was ‘established for the express purpose of promoting or improving the social, economic and environmental well-being of the area’.
Another resident was incandescent about the scheme.
He had lived in the property for a number of years, having purchased it in 1987, but opted for his Oxfordshire or Highgate mansions in the later years of his life
Harlan Zimmerman complained: ‘There have already been a large number of trees felled in this property and the adjoining one. It is alarming and suspicious that so many more are now being targeted.
‘Also, I am concerned that there is no real description of the work planned to reduce foliage between this property and adjoining properties, such as my family’s. This is important for privacy and noise reduction.’
The plans include flattening a ‘leaning’ 26ft hollie and a 36ft evergreen thuja tree, which is ‘growing within close proximity of the building’.
Plus a 43ft mature leyland cypress, which is ‘fast growing’ and in ‘fairly close proximity to the building’.
Yioda’s also team want to trim down a massive sycamore which is hanging over the garages. They’ve asked to reduce the 59ft size and remove dead wood.
All of this is being described as to ‘control encroachment’ or ‘general maintenance’.
Yioda was given the property after her brother left his £98million fortune to her and her sister, Melanie, who died three years later, also on Christmas Day.
In May last year, Yioda got the green light from the council to transform the house, which had fallen into disrepair over the last decade.
She’s having a new roof, solar panels, new doors and windows, decking, and one of the garages is being turned into living quarters.
Don’t mess with Bond’s girl
Sir Roger Moore played the womanising James Bond but, in real life, the 007 star’s wife Luisa Mattioli would not tolerate his eyes even catching a glimpse of another good-looking woman.
Fellow actor Richard E Grant recalls: ‘His penultimate wife, Luisa, was Italian, and he looked at another woman – as they were getting off a boat somewhere – who was in hot pants, and hot pants had just come out in 1970.
‘She slapped him across the face and said, ‘Just in case.’ Doosh! Slapped him on the face for even daring to look.’
Patsy: A singer who can’t sing
Actress Patsy Kensit, 56, pictured, singer in short-lived ’80s band Eighth Wonder, admits she has a terrible voice
Why let a poor voice get in the way of being a pop singer?
Actress Patsy Kensit, 56, singer in short-lived ’80s band Eighth Wonder, admits she has a terrible voice.
The band had one hit, I’m Not Scared, but Patsy says she now won’t even perform karaoke. ‘What’s my karaoke song? I don’t have one,’ she says. ‘I don’t want to punish people by singing – their ears will bleed.’
She also admits she doesn’t speak to her sons’ rock-star dads, Liam Gallagher (son Lennon) and Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr (James). ‘I don’t think about it,’ she says.
‘I’m so happy James and Lennon have good relationships with their fathers.’
Was that a barbed jibe at Sydney, Jane?
More than 55 years since she first set pulses racing playing sci-fi heroine Barbarella, Jane Fonda hopes to have her say when it comes to the forthcoming remake.
The new version will see White Lotus and Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney, left, in the lead role.
The new version will see White Lotus and Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney, pictured, in the lead role
‘Nobody’s asked me about it,’ Fonda says of the planned movie, to be directed by British film-maker Edgar Wright. ‘I wish I could do a remake of Barbarella, but I wouldn’t play her again.
‘I have a lot of ideas about what that could look like.’
Asked to elaborate, Fonda pointedly adds: ‘If Sydney asks, I’ll let her know.’
Stephanie Beacham complains that strong women, whom she often plays, such as Princess Margaret and Maria Callas, are regarded as difficult whereas men are simply seen as strong.
The former Dynasty star, 77, says: ‘Yes [I consider myself difficult], otherwise I wouldn’t attract so many [to play]. I also played Maria Callas and Queen Elizabeth. I, and they, were difficult women.
‘I’ve always said women are considered difficult and men are considered strong. If you think something is important, you have to fight your corner, and so be it.’
Goodbye to rock ‘n’ roll royalty
The world of progressive rock may be mourning the death of Jamie Muir, drummer with cult band King Crimson, who has died aged 79, but so, too, are old chums of the real King.
Despite Muir’s rock ‘n’ roll eccentricity – he played the drums in a gorilla suit and latterly became a Buddhist monk – he came from impeccable Establishment stock and was a Gordonstoun contemporary of Prince Charles.
Later on, he became brother-in-law to Tory royalty when his sister married the future Conservative Cabinet minister Kenneth (now Lord) Baker. And his elder brother, George, so enjoyed train sets that he ended up as chairman of the Association of British Train Operators.
Date night for King Charles’s cousin the Earl of Snowdon and his girlfriend, Isabelle de La Bruyere.
Princess Margaret’s son David, 63, was joined by French-born Isabelle, 53, at the Michelin celebration of restaurant Akira Back London at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair.
The carpenter, who established home-furnishings shop Linley, separated from his wife, Serena, in 2020 after 27 years. Isabelle was a director of Christie’s auction house, while he’s the honorary chairman.
