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MPs condemn basement conversions from hell

Wednesday, 9 November 2011 9:20 AM

Two MPs from opposing parties have joined forces to condemn a wave of basement conversions that are making life hell for residents in up-market areas of London.

Karen Buck, Labour MP for Westminster North, and Mark Field, Conservative MP for Cities of London and Westminster, told Parliament yesterday that many of the conversions were by super-rich foreign nationals who had little concern for their effect on the neighbours.

Ms Buck said they were producing "extraordinary change" in some inner city communities. One street in St John's Wood currently has 13 planning applications for basement conversions.

Basements often went down two levels underneath both the house and garden. "Plans include underground cinemas, swimming pools, gymnasiums and gun rooms," she said.

Yet nobody seemed able to protect residents affected by the noise and disruption from construction work and unclear government guidance made local authorities wary of opposing developments by applicants with deep pockets.

Mr Field said that the taxpayer was left to pick up the bill for repairs to roads. "Basements are often developed by non-resident, non-UK taxpayers, for the benefit of a single wealthy individual and at significant cost to the environment and community."

But the hands of local authorities were tied by "what are obviously very inadequate protections or notional protections".

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