Pink Floyd Guitarist David Gilmour has found himself embroiled in a row with his Hampstead neighbours over his choice of shed.
The 79-year-old’s planning application, filed retrospectively, has sparked letters of complaint from neighbours, mainly those whose gardens back onto his own.
The green shed, which according to the application measures just under two-by-three metres, was built in the back corner of his garden to replace a previous shed and small “summerhouse”.
The chief objection comes from the Hampstead Hill Gardens Residents’ Association, which argues that: “The application should be rejected as the structure now in place is obtrusive, overbearing, and significantly more visually and physically intrusive than what was originally approved or what stood there before.”
In its letter, published on Camden Council’s planning website, the residents’ group argues that the shed should have been built on the footprint of the original structures as agreed in planning permission issued in 2023, but that it is now a claimed two metres closer to the boundary fence, as first reported in the Camden New Journal.
“The decision we hope the Council will make is that it is removed as soon as possible to stop the continued harm to neighbourhood amenity,” it stated.
“We urge the Council to resist being misled by this retrospective rationalisation and to refuse this application.
“Allowing it would be a signal to all applicants that they can ignore the terms of their permissions.”
A neighbour responding to the application also suggested that the fact the shed is now close to the fence means it cannot be blocked from view by vegetation.
“The applicant’s garden is long and ours is very short which makes this stand out all the more. You can see why they want the shed at the fence but their gain is our loss,” the resident commented.
The Hampstead Neighbourhood Forum has also asked for a gap behind the shed for wildlife to pass by and to provide space for plants.
Another complaint from a Hampstead Hill Gardens resident stated: “I noticed during the construction of the building that extensive foundations were being laid down for a building that claimed to be a mere garden shed.
“I then subsequently noticed the extensive landscaping around it. Both of these facts and its size indicate that the owners may have more ambitious and different uses for the building than that of a garden shed.”
The application by Gilmour’s household points out that: “The replacement of these two buildings with a single well-designed new garden shed would have less impact than the previous arrangement.”
“The replacement shed is of traditional construction and has been carefully designed to be appropriate within the garden of this listed building.
“The shed is painted green to minimise its visual impact. As such, the modest size of the shed, good design and colouring mean that there would not be any harm to the setting of the listed building or that of neighbouring listed buildings.
“Nor would the proposal adversely impact the character of the conservation area.”
The rocker has previously created a striking seaview mansion in Hove, East Sussex, and also once gave all the proceeds of a house sale in Maida Vale to a homelessness charity.
Mr Gilmour has been contacted for comment.
