David Gilmour of Pink Floyd Clashes with Neighbors Over ‘Obtrusive’ Garden Shed
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Planning Trouble in Hampstead
Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour is facing complaints from neighbors after building a garden shed at his home in Hampstead, north London. The 79-year-old submitted a retrospective planning application to Camden Council after construction had already begun in April.
Gilmour said the new shed is a “modest size” and made using “traditional construction.” It’s meant to replace an old summerhouse and shed. But neighbors are unhappy with the changes, saying the structure is much larger and more intrusive than what was there before.
Locals Push Back
The new shed is reportedly about 5.95 square meters larger than the old summerhouse. A local residents group submitted a detailed complaint, asking Camden Council to reject Gilmour’s application and remove the shed entirely. They believe the build does not match what had previously been approved.
Audrey Mandela, chair of the Hampstead Garden Residents group (HHGR), wrote: “Permission was granted to rebuild a shed on its original footprint, approximately two metres from the boundary. However, what has actually been built is abutting the boundary fence, in a substantively different and more intrusive location.”
“Obtrusive and Overbearing”
Mandela called the structure “obtrusive, overbearing, and significantly more visually and physically intrusive than what was originally approved.” She said that neighbors had tried to settle the issue informally, but Gilmour responded by filing the new application instead.
She added, “The current structure is materially different from what was permitted and is too harmful to amenity given that it provides no benefit other than to the applicant. We urge the Council to send a strong rebuttal here to the applicant.”
Other Neighbor Complaints
Some neighbors also said the new shed sits directly against the rear fence, unlike the old structure, which could be hidden behind plants. One suggested the shed be rebuilt with a two-meter gap from the fence to allow for “planting and wildlife.”
Another local, Alex Shinder, said, “There was no consultation and the action is unneighbourly.”
Defense of the New Shed
Whiteacre Planning, speaking on behalf of Gilmour, defended the design in their letter to the council. They said the shed has a similar design to the previous one, is painted green to reduce visual impact, and has a cedar shingle roof that will naturally fade.
“It is of high quality design and build and is appropriate in this location,” they said. The firm also said the shed “will not lead to any overlooking, loss of privacy, or overshadowing.”
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Past Shed Issues
This isn’t Gilmour’s first shed-related dispute. In 2011, he was ordered to remove a yellow beach hut from his listed £3 million seafront home in Hove, East Sussex. The council said it was out of place in the conservation area and threatened legal action unless it was removed.
Gilmour, a member of Pink Floyd since 1967, helped make the band one of the best-selling acts in history. He’s also known for his solo work and his donation of £3.6 million to the homeless charity Crisis after selling his London home to Earl Spencer.
Camden Council has not yet announced when it will decide on the shed dispute. Gilmour has not made any public comment.
