James Corden has ignited controversy amongst neighbours after laying paving stones across a portion of his front garden to create space for wheelie bins at his north London home.
The 47-year-old television entertainer installed the hard surfacing at his residence in a designated conservation area before seeking planning approval retrospectively in September. The decision to pave first and ask permission later has drawn criticism from local residents and environmental campaigners.
Local residents have raised formal objections to the work, citing concerns about reduced natural habitats and the detrimental impact on local wildlife. The building work has been condemned for diminishing precious green space in the heritage-protected neighbourhood, with multiple complaints submitted over its environmental implications.
According to the retrospective planning submission, the work involved converting approximately 18 square metres of the front garden using concrete paving stones salvaged from the property’s rear garden. The converted area included a section previously covered with gravel.
The application detailed that the alterations resulted in an 11-square-metre decrease in existing planting areas, though current trees on site were maintained. As part of the scheme, four additional trees were planted alongside various plants in an attempt to enhance the garden’s soft landscaping.
The documentation specified that the primary purpose of expanding the paved area was to provide increased space for wheelie bin storage. However, residents have questioned whether bin storage justifies the loss of green space in a conservation area.
Deborah Buzan expressed strong opposition to the changes, arguing that front gardens being paved over is damaging for the environment. She said it is not good for wildlife and reduces the enjoyment of residents who now look at barren areas instead of plants and London flowers. She described it as sad to witness such disregard for conservation.
Alan Selwyn, representing a neighbourhood residents’ association as trustee, mounted a more technical objection. He argued that the removal of natural habitat reduces biodiversity in an already diminished area and criticised the use of mass-produced industrial materials as inappropriate in a heritage setting.
Selwyn expressed particular concerns that two mature acer trees could be endangered by the concrete installation. He warned that the newly planted trees may all fail due to overcrowding, suggesting the compensatory planting may prove inadequate.
Tom Simon, the Liberal Democrat opposition leader on the council, said there is no valid justification for the loss of green space in this instance and urged the application should be resisted. His intervention adds political weight to residents’ environmental concerns.
The comedian acquired the property for a reported £11.5 million in 2024 and resides there with his wife, Julia Carey, and their three children. The family returned to Britain following Corden’s eight-year tenure hosting The Late Late Show in America.
Corden’s homecoming has been marked by planning disputes since purchasing the substantial north London property. The paving controversy follows an earlier planning application this year for a new garden structure at the residence, which had already generated complaints from neighbours regarding potential noise disturbance.
The retrospective nature of the application has particularly irked local residents, who argue that seeking permission after completing work shows disrespect for planning regulations designed to protect conservation areas. Conservation zones impose stricter controls on alterations to preserve the character and appearance of areas with special architectural or historic interest.
Front garden paving has become an increasingly contentious issue across London and other British cities. Environmental campaigners warn that replacing permeable surfaces with concrete increases flood risk by preventing rainwater absorption and contributes to urban heat island effects.
Wildlife charities have long cautioned that the cumulative effect of thousands of paved front gardens significantly reduces habitat for insects, birds and small mammals. The loss of green corridors through urban areas fragments ecosystems and diminishes biodiversity.
Local planning authorities face difficult decisions balancing residents’ practical needs, such as bin storage and vehicle parking, against environmental protection and conservation principles. Retrospective applications complicate matters by presenting officials with fait accompli situations.
If the council rejects Corden’s application, he could face enforcement action requiring restoration of the front garden to its previous state. However, authorities often prove reluctant to pursue costly enforcement proceedings, particularly when compensatory planting has been undertaken.
The controversy highlights tensions between celebrity homeowners and established communities in affluent London neighbourhoods. High-profile residents undertaking substantial alterations often face greater scrutiny from neighbours sensitive to changes in their area’s character.
Corden has not publicly commented on the planning dispute or addressed residents’ environmental concerns. His representatives have not responded to questions about whether alternative solutions for bin storage were considered before removing the planted area.
The planning application remains under consideration by the local authority, which must weigh residents’ objections against the relatively modest scale of the alterations and the compensatory tree planting. A decision is expected in the coming weeks.
The outcome could set a precedent for similar applications in the conservation area, with residents watching closely to see whether retrospective hard surfacing will be permitted despite environmental objections.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
Image Credit:
James Corden — photo at the 2015 PaleyFest by Dominick Dusseault (via Flickr), licensed under CC BY SA 2.0(commons.wikimedia.org)
