Craig David wins battle with neighbours over noisy air conditioning

Craig David has won a planning battle with his London neighbours over ‘noisy’ air conditioning units he illegally installed on the roof of his £6million home.

The singer, 37, added three air conditioning units to the roof of his trendy converted warehouse in Camden without planning permission after he moved in. 

He asked Camden Council for retrospective permission but local residents still had major concerns about their ‘unsightly’ appearance and noise pollution. 

David bought the property, which boasts a glass swimming pool, retractable roof, six bathrooms and a private terrace, in January last year. 

After a long row, he has won the right to keep the units in place, providing he add ‘acoustic enclosures’ to make them quieter and stop them vibrating. 

The council also ruled that the units should be quieter than the lowest level of street noise so that his immediate neighbour’s business would not be disturbed. 

The report, written by chief planning officer Daniel Pope at Camden Council, added: ‘As a safeguard, a condition will be attached upon approval to ensure that the equipment will operate by at least 10Db lower than the lowest background noise level.

‘A further condition will be attached to ensure the mounted plant will have anti-vibration isolators.

‘Both of these conditions are to ensure the amenity of neighbours in regards to noise and vibration from the operation of the units.’

Mr Pope concluded David’s additions do not impose on his neighbour’s sunlight or outlook. 

He said: ‘Overall, the proposal would result in no significant change to the appearance of the host building, the mews or the wider conservation area.

‘It is considered that the proposal would not cause harm to the neighbouring amenity of adjoining residential occupiers in regards to daylight, sunlight or outlook.’

The star’s neighbour Richard Korn, 55, said he did not want to start an argument with his neighbour but he had real concerns.

The children’s clothing salesman, who has an office next door, wrote in his letter in March: ‘The site can only be viewed from my office or the office above.

‘I was very concerned when the A/C company installed the units as much of the year 

‘I open my back window and didn’t want to hear three large condensers that point towards the windows.

‘I suddenly had three large unsightly condensers as my view. When I asked the installers they told me planning permission had already been granted.

‘When I checked on Camden planning, I saw that planning was for condensers in different locations.

‘I question why, when I pay more in business rates than the whole dwelling house pays in council tax, I have to have my view ruined.

‘Why cannot the condensers be put in a less obstructive position?’

David was born in Southampton but moved to London to pursue a career in music.

He recently made a guest appearance on ITV’s Love Island to do a DJ set for the contestants.