A Sandbanks millionaire has put his mansion up for sale after his plans to build a house 16 times the size of an average British home were rejected.
John Yeoman, 70, and his wife, Deborah, 68, wanted to knock down their property in Poole, Dorset, and replace it with a sprawling superhome on the waterfront.
But, objections from locals put a spanner in the works, and the couple have now put their £8.8million mansion – which is located in Sandbanks, one of the UK’s most exclusive resorts – on the market.
The pair argued their plans should be approved because their neighbour, Jeremy Gardner, recently built a four-storey tower that was nine inches taller than their home.
The dispute is one of a string that have erupted recently as wealthy homeowners seek to develop grander properties around the affluent area.
The Yeomans’ proposed five-storey replacement would be more than double the size of the existing property at 17,000 sq ft and would feature five bedrooms, a private apartment, an indoor swimming pool, a home cinema, boat storage, a bar and a lift.
Planning permission was refused after Gardner, 64, complained that the planned property ‘is 16 times the size of an average UK home, and considerably higher and larger than any of the other two, three and four-storey waterfront houses [in the area]’.
John Yeoman and his wife, Deborah (pictured) wanted to knock down their property in Poole, Dorset, and replace it with a sprawling superhome on the waterfront
But objections from neighbors put a spanner in the works and the couple are now considering selling the house – which is located in Sandbanks, one of the UK’s most exclusive resorts – for £8.8 million
Pictured: The Yeoman’s house (centre) and neighbour Jeremy Gardner’s house (second from right)
Pictured: The Sandbanks peninsula, which was named last year as the most expensive coastal area in the UK
The Yeomans are appealing the refusal of permission, saying: ‘The location is one that is experiencing change – homeowners are demolishing dwellings and replacing them with larger ones.’
They claim their proposal reflects the design trends of the road and highlighted that planners approved Gardner’s home to ‘bring it in line with the scale of development that has emerged’ in the area.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council said the development would have an ‘unacceptable and harmful effect’ on the road.
While the Yeomans wait for a ruling, their home is being advertised for sale through the Sandbanks estate agency Tailor Made.
The agency describes the house as a ‘waterfront residence now available for the first time since construction’.
It boasts four en suite bedrooms, a huge living room, a dining room and kitchen, a study and a gym.
The couple argued the plans should be approved because their neighbour, Jeremy Gardner (pictured), recently built a four-storey mansion that was nine inches taller than their home
Planning permission was refused after Gardner, 64, complained that the planned property ‘is 16 times the size of an average UK home. Pictured: The new plans for the Yeomans’ home (left), which would have stood taller than neighbour Jeremy Gardner’s house (right)
Mr Gardener secured planning permission to knock the property down and replace it with an ultra-modern, four-storey mansion. Mr Gardner’s new, bigger home was completed two years ago
Outside there is an impressive 36ft jetty, private mooring and a slipway. There are also striking panoramic views of Poole Harbour from all three floors.
The estate agency states that: ‘The architectural design of this residence is nothing short of extraordinary.
‘A bespoke build for the current owner, every detail has been carefully considered to fully embrace the south westerly waterscape, ensuring the home is harmoniously integrated with its natural surroundings.’
The Yeomans purchased the former property that once stood on the plot in 2001 for £1.7million and built their new home.
Gardner bought a modest detached house next door for £2.8million in 2015 and was granted permission to demolish it and replace it with an ultra-modern four-storey house.
The homes look onto the Sandbanks peninsula, which was named last year as the most expensive coastal area in the UK.
House prices in the area increased by a fifth in 2024 and it has recently been called ‘Britain’s Palm Beach’ after the exclusive Florida enclave.
Many celebrities live or have lived in the peninsula including former football manager Harry Redknapp who bulldozed his £7million waterside property in 2023 to make way for a new £12million villa.
The new house will have have Palladian-style columns and four separate balconies with wrought iron railings and will look more in keeping with the sunkissed properties around Lake Como in Italy than the modern, flat-roofed mansions of Sandbanks.
Other famous faces who have called Sandbanks home include celebrity chef, Rick Stein, and former Beetles member John Lennon.
