The tranquil, leafy streets of Hampstead, one of London's most exclusive postcodes, have become the unlikely setting for a Hollywood-style standoff. Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the globally recognised star of The Walking Dead, is facing a furious backlash from his well-heeled neighbours over ambitious plans to build a colossal subterranean basement beneath his £3.6 million home.
A Subterranean Saga Unfolds
Morgan and his wife, fellow actor Hilarie Burton, submitted plans to excavate a vast new underground level at their North London property. The proposed works include the creation of a sprawling new basement floor, complete with a state-of-the-art kitchen, a spacious living area, and essential plant and storage rooms. The couple, who also own a farm in New York's Hudson Valley, argue the extension is vital for their growing family.
However, the project has been met with immediate and fierce resistance from those living nearby. Residents have formally lodged a series of vehement objections with Camden Council, voicing grave concerns that extend far beyond the inevitable construction noise.
Neighbours Raise the Alarm
The objections paint a picture of potential disaster for the quiet cul-de-sac. Key concerns highlighted by the community include:
- Structural Threats: Fears that the large-scale excavation could undermine the foundations of surrounding properties, potentially causing significant structural damage.
- Drainage Disaster: Serious apprehensions that the building work will interfere with and overwhelm the local drainage and sewer systems, leading to potential flooding and blockages.
- Privacy Eradication: The design includes a large lightwell, which neighbours argue will directly overlook their gardens and homes, shattering their cherished privacy.
- Environmental Impact: Worries about the loss of valuable garden space and the impact on local trees and wildlife due to the extensive excavation and construction process.
One neighbour's submission to the council captured the mood, stating the development would set an "unwelcome precedent" and pleading with officials to "please stop the erosion of our environment and our community by these vast subterranean developments."
Planning Permission in Peril
Despite the Morgans' architects assuring that the project has been carefully designed to minimise its impact, the council's planning department has officially refused the application in its current form. Planners cited the proposed development's "excessive size and scale" and its likely "harmful impact on the character of the building and the wider area."
This neighbourhood spat highlights the ongoing 'iceberg home' controversy plaguing London's wealthiest boroughs, where multi-million-pound basement digs—often featuring cinemas, gyms, and pools—have become a major flashpoint between affluent homeowners and local communities.
For now, Negan's bat may be silent, but the noise of planning disputes in Hampstead is ringing loud and clear.
