Neighbours protest at tycoon's roof terrace plan for £42m mansion

Noise fears: an image of the roof terrace at the Mayfair home

Daniel O'Mahony27 October 2017

City tycoon Peter Cruddas has angered neighbours with plans to build a roof terrace at his £42 million Mayfair mansion.

The former Tory party co-treasurer and his wife Fiona paid cash for the seven-storey Victorian townhouse near Park Lane last year — incurring a stamp duty bill of almost £5 million — and have since embarked on a renovation.

But some neighbours fear the latest plans for a 280 sq ft roof terrace would cause “noise and light disturbance”. They have written to Westminster council calling for the scheme, which includes a seating area, to be rejected.

One said: “We sleep with the window open at night and are concerned about potential noise from a roof terrace. One of the things we love about the area is that it is so quiet despite being in central London.”

Three residents living in flats next door have submitted objections to the plans, which also include a 6ft tall “acoustic and privacy” screen.

Some neighbours fear Mr Cruddas's plans for a 280 sq ft roof terrace would cause “noise and light disturbance”

Another wrote: “We strongly object to the proposed roof terrace on the grounds of noise and light disturbance. This will particularly affect those flats on higher floors including the penthouse.”

However, a report by Mr Cruddas’s planning consultant Alistair Grills Associates reads: “As the residence is situated within a busy part of central London, any occasional noise generated by occupants of the roof terrace will be drowned out by ambient, vehicular and aircraft traffic and general street noise.”

In July, the couple were given planning permission for some external alterations to the property, including replacing the chimney and installing new windows and staircases.

Mr Cruddas, who grew up on a Shoreditch council estate and left school at 15, is estimated to be worth £780 million. He paid for the mansion with the proceeds of a £180 million sale of shares in spread-betting firm CMC Markets. He was a high-profile backer of Brexit and donor to the official Vote Leave campaign.

Mr Cruddas has been contacted for comment. The plans have been recommended for approval when they go before councillors on Tuesday.