EXC: Claudia Winkleman cuts chimney size to avoid war with neighbours

2023-07-22

EXCLUSIVE: Take the long flue! Claudia Winkleman and film producer husband agree to cut size of ‘out of keeping’ 4ft chimney to avoid war with wealthy neighbours

The Strictly Come Dancing host was told she had the wrong type of boiler flue

Claudia Winkleman moved quickly to keep the peace with her wealthy neighbours after being told she had the wrong type of boiler flue at her historic £8.5million home.

Council officials asked the Strictly Come Dancing host to change the eyesore flue at the front of her London property after it was deemed to be ‘out of keeping’ with nearby homes.

She and her film producer husband Kris Thykier were told that their 4ft long ventilation pipe in a basement stairwell was unacceptable due to its stainless steel construction.

Westminster Council staff also pointed out that the top of the structure breached guidelines by protruding around six inches above street level making it visible to neighbours and passers-by.

Winkleman and Thykier immediately agreed to alter the size and colour of their flue at their five-storey Grade Two listed home in the leafy London Square near Marble Arch.

Claudia Winkleman and Kris Thykier moved quickly to avoid a potential neighbour row after adding the new flue

The houses in the Square (pictured) are all thought to be Grade II-listed properties

They lowered its height by 300mm to make it invisible from the street and had it painted matt black to ensure it was compliant with local conservation rules.

Their swift action headed off a potential row with neighbours in the square including former prime minister Tony Blair who have discreet black flues on their Regency homes.

The couple who are both aged 51 were still forced to apply for retrospective planning permission from Westminster Council for their new look flue after making the alterations.

Planning documents reveal that four neighbours living either side of Winkleman and Thykier were informed of the application last November, six weeks after the work was done.

But no residents objected to the proposal, suggesting that there was silent backing for the plan to bring the BBC star’s flue into line with others in the street.

Council officials approved the retrospective application for the six bedroom Georgian house and gave listed building consent for the work in late December.

A report approving the application, stated that the work met planning policies for a building of ‘special architectural or historic interest’. It is not known if the stainless steel flue for the basement level boiler was installed by the celebrity couple, or if it was in place when they bought the property for £3.25m in 2006.

But online Google Street view images dating back to January 2021 show the flue sticking up out of the property’s lightwell which is accessed by steps and allows light into the basement.

The couple were told that their 4ft long ventilation pipe in a basement stairwell was unacceptable due to its stainless steel construction

Google Street view images dating back to January 2021 show the flue sticking up out of the property’s lightwell – but it has since been lowered

It is not clear if council staff discovered that the flue (left, after modifications) was breaking rules in a routine inspection or after being tipped off

The couple lowered its height by 300mm to make it invisible from the street and had it painted matt black to ensure it was compliant with local conservation rules

It is also not clear if council staff discovered that the flue was breaking rules in a routine inspection or after being tipped off by an angry local resident.

The planning application said: ‘The fact that the flue is more discreet and no longer visible from the public highway, coupled with the fact that it has been painted black should make the flue more acceptable.’

A design and access statement submitted by Winkleman’s planning agent added: ‘The original installed flue, placed in the lower ground floor, encroached into the street scene.

‘The finish to the flue was also deemed out of keeping. Neighbouring flues are set down below the kerb/street level.’

Describing how the flue had been reduced in height by 300mm, the report continues: ‘The flue has been reduced in height and set away from the street view.

‘The pipework has to be durable and was first installed with the stainless steel finish. The top of the flue has been dropped by 300mm. Now finished in a matt black paint to match the existing flues and pipework.’

The Strictly Come Dancing star (pictured with co-host Tess Daly, right) has also recently become known for the hit BBC series The Traitors

The presenter, who has been married to her husband for 23 years and has three children with him, once told the Evening Standard of her love for her home’s central location

The report went on: ‘After discussions between the council and the house owners the boiler flue to the dwelling house has now been dropped below the street view….

‘The flue has been finished to suit the pipe work within [the] Square, as the client looks to proactively address the concerns of the council.’

Winkleman’s flue ventilates fumes from a boiler in a recessed area beneath the pavement at the front of her house.

EXC: Claudia Winkleman cuts chimney size to avoid war with neighbours

EXCLUSIVE: Take the long flue! Claudia Winkleman and film producer husband agree to cut size of ‘out of keeping’ 4ft chimney to avoid war with wealthy neighbours

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