Financier slams 'environmental extremists' who object to basement dig plans under his £2m Highgate home

A millionaire financier who wants to build a mega-basement underneath his £2 million Highgate home today branded critics of the scheme “environmental extremists”.

Sebastian Eiseler, vice president of Oaktree Capital Management, has been given permission to excavate 440 sq ft beneath his five-bedroom house to create a guest room, play room and rear extension.

Local environmental group The Friends of Parkland Walk have objected to the 16-month project claiming it would bring large skip lorries onto Parkland Walk, a former railway line now a walkway and a haven for wildlife, which connects Highgate to Finsbury Park.

But the 36-year-old married father-of-one told the Standard: “We have a right to develop our house.

"I wanted to build out laterally, it was the council that suggested digging the basement which will end up being much more expensive for me.

“The Friends of Parkland Walk will argue with whatever means they possess to obstruct me, I think they are abusing their position.

“I do feel targeted - people have described me as a greedy banker but I want to make that house a home for my family. The law is the law and the council are fine with it.

"What I find unfair is the Friends of Parkland Walk saying I am going to destroy everything - that is such an environmental extremist position.”

Campaigners fear the safety implications of the lorries mean part of the reserve will effectively be out of bounds for the thousands of families, dog walkers, joggers and cyclists who use it each week.

There are also concerns about the impact on protected bird species and rare bat populations living in tunnels by the entrance to the walk.

Mr Eiseler’s soon-to-be neighbour Rosa Dolan called the plans “crazy”.

The 41-year-old architect said: “Parkland walk is crucial to all of us, the kids love it and we use it for the school run. We get it, digging a basement is very trendy for the ultra-rich at the moment but if he wants a massive villa he should just buy one in Hampstead.”

Haringey Council has granted planning permission to the scheme.

However campaigners accuse the German City boss of “riding roughshod” over 12 covenants attached to the land when the house was sold off by the council in 1993 to prevent motor vehicle access, soil excavation and causing a disturbance.

Neighbour Rita Rose, 67, said: “He bought that house and knew the restrictions that came with it. He should just get on with his life and not be so greedy.”

Cathy Meeus, treasurer of the Friends of the Parkland Walk, said she was “surprised” Mr Eiseler had labelled the group “extremists” as he was a member himself. She added: “He signed up to the group and the covenants. We haven’t got any plans to expel him.”