Mews neighbours fight plans for ‘excessive’ basement conversion

Residents in a historic Marylebone mews are fighting plans to turn a Victorian building containing offices and flats into three townhouses, each with a home cinema and gym in a basement conversion.

Millionaire Ajoy Kapoor, who runs a property and finance empire in India, has applied to Westminster council for planning permission after recently buying the building in Oldbury Place, part of Harley Street conservation area. Residents, who have until the end of the month to object, say the plans are “excessive” .

Neighbour Mike Sibley claimed there had been “no real consultation”, adding: “The basement is totally out of proportion with the area. It will be very disruptive in terms of building work and we are worried about the effect on the surrounding environment.”

Planning agent Iceni, representing Mr Kapoor, said neither they nor he had any comment to make.