Ricky Gervais locked in row with neighbours over ‘noisy’ tennis court at his incredible £14.5m 7-bed mansion
RICKY Gervais is locked in a row with his neighbours over the building of a “noisy” tennis court at his incredible £14.5 million 7-bedroom mansion.
The comedian, 63, got to work revamping the garden at his posh London home in December, with locals spotting vans and construction workers outside.
As well as the brand-new court, which is said to be for “one-to-one tennis coaching” only, plans also include chopping down nine trees are ripping up three-quarters of the lawn.
This is despite the property – where Ricky lives with wife Jane Fallon – being in a conservation area.
Locals are particularly concerned about noise emanating from the court, The Sun revealed last month.
Complaints were dismissed by the planning officers who stating that issues like stray tennis balls and spectators are civil matters, not planning issues.
One resident said: “It is unfair and unrealistic, noise-wise. It will not only be the ball or balls being hit or bounced before serving that will be noisy.”
While a grass badminton court already exists at the property, the neighbour feared the new set-up would be bigger and louder.
They added: “If practising a machine firing balls over the net is even more noisy. The players will make noise when speaking or shouting to each other.
“A tennis court can be used for doubles i.e. 4 adults and / or children. From time to time there will be spectators watching, shouting and cheering.”
They were also worried about potentially noisy spectators, adding: “There is a seating arrangement alongside our boundary fence for several spectators to be involved with the game.
“There is no mention of the number of seats.”
With a no netting around the court, the local feared balls could go flying.
They added: “There is no fencing around the court so there is a danger of being hit by a ball which is mishit and lands in our or a neighbour’s garden.
“We will not have peaceful enjoyment of our garden and house whilst the court is in use.”
And, they were even worried it could escalate into a football pitch, adding: “If the net is removed the permeable surface could be used as 5 a side football pitch or for other sports.”
Due to the property’s “conservation area” status, the After Life star has also faced questions about how he would protect the wildlife amid the works.
To gain approval from the council, his team had to produce a “biodiversity enhancement plan” – in which he promised to install two bat roost boxes, one bird nest box, a sparrow nest terrace, an insect house and a hedgehog home.
The pair have already planted nine new trees, and plan to put in four more – to offset the nine being chopped down.
The development will “deliver a significantly more wildlife friendly garden, changing dynamically with the seasons, providing blossom, nectar and fruit”, says one planning doc.
However, another neighbour was sceptical.
They said: “Loss of many mature, beautiful trees which have been in the garden for many years some of which are over 20 metres tall.
“Even though a replacement planting plan has been submitted, to get to the current maturity of these trees will take 20-30 years.
“These significant existing trees, which are of public amenity value, contribute to the character and appearance of the conservation area.”
Unfortunately for the disgruntled locals, the planning officer dismissed the noise complaints stating that “other matters referred to by objectors, such as stray tennis balls and ‘spectators’, fall under civil matters and should not be considered planning issues.”
This week, Ricky gave fans a rare look inside the luxury home, with snaps showing off the huge, minimalist interior.
Some jokingly likened the home to a “hospital”, while others praised the decor as “gorgeous”.
Another commented: “Love what you have done to the place has that real psychopath mentality ward vibes.”
The Sun has contacted Ricky Gervais‘ representatives for comment.
What is Ricky Gervais’ net worth?
RICKY Gervais enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame when he burst on to the scene in the early noughties - this was all thanks to his hit sitcom The Office - a show which helped launch his incredible career, and boost his bank balance.
Ricky Dene Gervais was born in Reading, Berkshire, on June 25, 1961, and is an English comedian, actor, writer, producer, director and singer.
He initially worked in the music industry, attempting a career as a pop star in the 1980s.
The talented star started his TV career on The 11 O’Clock Show on Channel 4 between 1998 and 2000, which was followed by his own talk show, Meet Ricky Gervais.
But he hit the big time and was launched to international stardom when he wrote and starred in the BBC’s mockumentary The Office.
Ricky has amassed quite a fortune during his time in the spotlight.
He has a net worth of around £126M which has been made through his TV shows, film roles and stand up tours.
However, despite his extreme wealth Ricky has always insisted he is not motivated by cash – and refuses to blow his riches on flashy motors and £50K watches.