He's won again! F1 legend Sir Lewis Hamilton triumphs in battle with locals over 'magnificent' heritage trees at £18million London townhouse
Racing legend Sir Lewis Hamilton has won a battle to 'prune' two giant poplar trees in his garden, much to the chagrin of neighbours. The 38-year-old has been crowned Formula 1 world champion a record-equalling seven times, amassed a £300 million fortune and bagged a knighthood. Now, he has won his latest tussle with neighbours in Kensington, West London, where, six years ago, he paid £18 million for a townhouse. Over the years, Hamilton’s agents have submitted 20 planning applications on his behalf, as he’s sought permission for all manner of improvements to bring the property up to standards commensurate with his superstar status. These have included the installation of metal entrance gates and the demolition of a summerhouse and the erection of a swanky replacement. Neighbours were particularly offended by his summerhouse plans which would, it was alleged, result in their ‘working and living conditions [being] seriously disturbed’. But arguably nothing has outraged them more than what they perceive as the threat to twin poplar trees which tower above Hamilton’s gardens — ‘magnificent “heritage” trees . . . easily identifiable upon approach to Heathrow’, according to one local. Now, the next howl to be heard in Hamilton’s garden will be that of chain-saws ‘pruning’ the poplars. The council makes two conditions: that ‘noisy operations’ are avoided on Saturdays ‘unless essential’, while ‘no works should take place on Sundays’. It is unknown if, Hamilton, who owns a penthouse in New York and a residence in Monte Carlo, will be home when the 'pruning' takes place. Hamilton, is enjoying some time off before the new Formula One season begins at the start of next month. On Monday night, he was pictured among the high profile guests at the Moncler Genius show for London Fashion Week, alongside Marcus Rashford and Serena Williams. Rashford and Hamilton stood in front of the cameras separately, both in Moncler jackets. The England international's jacket is worth £3,400 on Moncler's official website.
Via: Daily Mail
