Star Wars creator George Lucas has announced plans to build hundreds of affordable homes on part of his sprawling California ranch, after neighbours blocked his bid to develop a film studio on the site.
The 70-year-old billionaire has submitted proposals to Marin County authorities to construct 224 homes on 50 acres of his largely undeveloped 1,000-acre Skywalker estate. The development includes 120 two- and three-bedroom homes for working families earning less than 80 per cent of the average wage, and 104 homes for pensioners in a four-storey block. A micro-farm, community swimming pool and other eco-friendly facilities are also planned.
Mr Lucas said he wanted to do something good for the community, but opponents have been less enthusiastic. One local resident reportedly compared the affordable housing plans to Syria, while a board member of the Lucas Valley Estates Homeowners Association said letters had arrived predicting the arrival of 'drug dealers, all this crime and lowlife'.
The landowner had originally sought permission to expand his existing production facilities into a major film studio. Despite obtaining planning permission from the county, a lengthy battle with neighbours prompted Mr Lucas to abandon the project in 2012. He then submitted plans for the housing instead, but the original backer pulled out. Now that he is funding the project himself, it is expected to be far harder to stop if the proposals receive approval.
