Marc Samuels, a property developer, 44, has paid a powerful planning authority £180, 000 ($277.700) to keep an unauthorized basement swimming pool and gym which he built under his home.
The trust has confirmed in a statement that it had reached a financial agreement with Mr Samuels.
Will you offer us a hand? Every gift, regardless of size, fuels our future.
Your critical contribution enables us to maintain our independence from shareholders or wealthy owners, allowing us to keep up reporting without bias. It means we can continue to make Jewish Business News available to everyone.
You can support us for as little as $1 via PayPal at [email protected].
Thank you.
Mr. Samuels renowned for his philanthropy having donated to Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue and charity Chai Cancer Care.
He bought his home in 2007 for £2.9 million. In 2012, he granted permission to build a one-storey basement under the house in Hampstead Garden.
But during construction he enlarged the basement, creating a “cinema room”, “au pair’s room” and he also added a second underground level housing a swimming pool and gym. In total, Mr Samuels created an additional 169sqm beyond what was permitted.
The trust, which has notoriously strict rules curbing changes to homes in the Suburb, consulted lawyers about obtaining a High Court injunction ordering Mr Samuels to reverse the unauthorised development, but claim they were advised to seek an out-of-court settlement due to “technical reasons”.
Trust chairman Richard Wiseman said: “The trust can now announce that the matter has been settled for £180, 000. This figure is based on the estimate of the enhanced value of the house, making appropriate allowance for the cost of construction and litigation risk.
“The resident has also made a contribution towards the trust’s legal fees. While the trust condemns the action of the resident, it acknowledges the spirit of co-operation with which he has dealt with the matter.”
