Key Points
- James Corden has been ordered by Camden Council to remove paving stones laid at the front of his £11.5 million Hampstead townhouse.
- The paving stones were installed earlier this year to accommodate wheelie bin storage, replacing a planting bed.
- Neighbours complained the paving impacted the local conservation area, which has special architectural and historic interest.
- Camden Council warned Corden he has two months to comply or face enforcement action.
- Corden bought the Victorian home last year with his wife Julia Carey and their three children.
- The paving slabs were reused from the back garden, where trees were planted after the relocation.
- Planning permission for paving in the conservation area was required but was only applied for after the work was completed.
- Some neighbours cited environmental concerns, loss of greenery, and reduced local enjoyment.
- Camden Council Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Tom Simon objected to the paving, calling for the application to be resisted.
- Corden’s planning agents defended the works, saying the relandscaping does not harm the property’s character.
What Happened with James Corden’s Paving Works?
As reported by journalists across multiple media outlets including the Daily Mail and The Sun, James Corden and his wife Julia Carey undertook landscaping works at the front of their £11.5 million Victorian townhouse in the Hampstead area of north London earlier this year. The main purpose was to create a larger hard surface area at the front of their home for convenient storage of their wheelie bins.
The paving, however, replaced an 11 square metre planting bed, which previously contributed greenery and wildlife habitat to the front garden. The repurposed paving stones came from their back garden, where several trees were planted in their place.
Why Are Neighbours Upset About the Paving?
Neighbours voiced concerns about the paving’s impact on the conservation area. The area around Corden’s home holds a special architectural and historic interest designation that requires strict oversight on alterations, including paving. Planning permission must be sought before such works.
A neighbour of 40 years spoke in planning documents submitted to Camden Council, explaining, “Front gardens being paved over is bad for the environment. It is not good for wildlife in the area, and it reduces the enjoyment of residents who now look at barren areas instead of plants and flowers.” This view was echoed by local residents’ associations, who doubt the survival chances of newly planted trees due to their close spacing.
What Is Camden Council’s Position?
According to coverage by the Daily Mail, Camden Council issued a notice to the Corden family demanding the removal of the paving within two months, threatening enforcement action if the directive is ignored. Cllr Tom Simon, leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat group, objected strongly in official correspondence, stating,
“There is no valid justification for the loss of green space in this instance, so the application should be resisted.”
The council emphasises that because the home lies within a conservation area, all hard landscaping works such as paving require prior planning consent to ensure the character and appearance of the area are preserved.
How Has James Corden’s Team Responded?
In planning documents, Corden’s planning agents defended the changes, contending that the relandscaping
“does not impact or diminish the positive contribution that the property makes to the special character and appearance of the area.”
They argued the alterations were a form of minor landscaping work to repair existing paving rather than a new, intrusive development. However, this defence has not satisfied the council or neighbours.
What Else Is Known About James Corden’s Hampstead Home?
The comedian and TV host moved into the house last year with his wife Julia Carey and their three children, following their return to the UK from the United States.
Earlier reports from Hello Magazine indicated that the family has faced other disputes with neighbours, including noise complaints and controversial plans for a large home extension featuring a gym and spa.
What Are the Environmental and Community Concerns?
Residents’ concerns highlight a broader controversy over the paving over front gardens in conservation areas, which is increasingly criticised for environmental reasons. These include the loss of green space, harm to local biodiversity, and a negative impact on neighbourhood aesthetics.
Neighbour statements collected by Camden Council stress the damage to wildlife habitats and the reduced enjoyment of gardens previously characterised by plants and flowers.
What Are the Next Steps for James Corden?
James Corden has been given a formal period of two months to remove the paving, with an enforcement action looming if compliance is not met.
This case underscores the tensions that can arise when high-profile homeowners make alterations in protected areas without proper planning consent.
