Nigella Lawson's new neighbours are simmering over rude workmen

Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi have upset neighbours with extensive building work at their new £12 million Chelsea home.

Residents claim renovations to the house near King's Road have resulted in drains being blocked with concrete, noise, and delivery lorries obstructing traffic.

The TV cook and art collector bought the property in February and plan to move in before Christmas. They have themselves complained about a neighbour's renovations near their Belgravia home.

Jeannie Faktor, 51, a housewife who will be a close neighbour of the Saatchis in Chelsea, said: "It's been a nuisance. These workmen are rude. Without authorisation they'll block the road. One lorry parked on the pavement outside my house with a big delivery — there was no way I could get out of the house."

Mrs Faktor, who lives with her husband David, 50, managing director of a steel trading company, said: "There was one Sunday when my husband, still in his pyjamas, confronted workmen about the noise."

James Max, a broadcaster on LBC, said: "I'm delighted they're moving in, but very pleased these works will soon be finished. It has been no more annoying than anyone else's building works." Another neighbour said: "There's been inconvenience, such as when the drains on the street got blocked after concrete was poured down them, but this was rectified quickly."

Last month it emerged that Mr Saatchi employed builders to take down a neighbour's scaffolding, allegedly causing £50,000 damage. One resident said: "It's hilarious they're doing the same thing here as they complained about in Belgravia."

The renovated Chelsea house will have a swimming pool and seven bedrooms. Christopher Mallaby, 94, a former chairman of the residents' association, lives directly opposite the Saatchis' new home. He said: "We have made no complaint because they have kept to the planning permission requirements and not worked at unsociable hours."

A builder for City Square development at the site said: "We don't know of any complaints from the neighbours." He added that he had met Mr Saatchi and Lawson on a handful of occasions. "They come down to pop in. He's quite particular, she's more friendly than he is."

A spokeswoman for Mr Saatchi said he had no comments.