Our rich neighbour has closed our STREET to build a mini forest in his front garden… it’s like living behind a barricade | The Sun
A BILLIONAIRE restaurateur has sparked fury among his neighbours over plans to build a mini forest in his front garden.
Richard Caring, who owns celeb haunts The Ivy and Sexy Fish in Mayfair, has been locked in a five-year battle with locals.
The 74-year-old plans to create an urban forest at his home in exclusive Onslow Square in Kensington, West London.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has granted him permission to close part of the road for two weeks so a crane can lift mature trees over neighbouring terraced houses.
But fuming locals have accused the council of “acquiescing to the whims of a billionaire who wants a nice garden”.
David Erb told The Guardian: “It is absolutely wrong that a single man, with a huge fortune is able to disrupt the lives of thousands of people."
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The software engineer, who believes the trees weigh more than five tonnes, continued: "They often close off the pavement as well and it’s beginning to feel a bit like we live behind a barricade.”
The tycoon bought the one acre home in 2018 for around £40million and demolished it.
He then built a 13,400 sq ft property and moved in with his second wife, Patricia Mondinni.
Plans for Caring's home include a two-storey basement with a swimming pool, beauty treatment room and steam room.
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Neighbours have previously raised issues and accused of the billionaire of breaching planning regulations.
The council said: "Anyone can apply to us for a road closure, from residents wanting to lift heavy items into their homes to utility companies carrying out repairs and upgrades.
“While we cannot unreasonably refuse those requests, we appreciate that closures can be inconvenient and do our best to minimise any disruption.
“In this case, we publicised the closure in local media and on our website several weeks in advance and the applicant hand-delivered a letter to more than 600 homes in the area.
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"We also encouraged the applicant to carry out the work during the school holidays to avoid disrupting school traffic and informed Transport for London and the emergency services of the planned closure.”
Caring has not responded to requests for comment.
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