British supermodel David Gandy and his barrister partner have won permission to redevelop an historic property at the gates of Richmond Park into a 'forever home'.

Gandy, the face of designer names such Dolce & Gabbana, has overcome objections to the development by council officials and a conservation group.

Last Wednesday, at the same time as millions tuned in to the England victory over Denmark, councillors were deciding the fate of a planning application for a height-doubling extension.

The property, which is described as a Building of Townscape Merit, was built in 1927 by renowned architects Arnold Smith and Cecile Brewer for the American film director Edwin Middleton.

It is a copy of a home built in Monte Carlo and includes a striking tower with cupola and balcony giving far-reaching views over Richmond Park.

Council officials and the Mortlake with East Sheen Society argued the extension should be blocked as it was 'overbearing' and 'unsympathetic', and would harm the surrounding conservation area. However, councillors on the planning committee have approved the plans.

The couple bought the property for £4.4 million in November last year, which is likely to prove a very good investment. Following the renovation and extension, it will potentially be worth more than £10 million.

Gandy has shared details of the project and the progress, including a series of videos from inside the property, to his 1m followers on Instagram.

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Writing on Instagram, he said: "During lockdown, and after years of searching, we found a house of historic townscape merit overlooking Richmond Park in London.

"The house needs total renovation with scope to extend…Work has now started… I thought it might be fun for you all to follow the process over the next year."

Gandy's partner, barrister Stephanie Mendoros, led the argument that convinced councillors to allow the scheme to go ahead.

Speaking via a video link to the meeting, which was webcast by the council, she said: "As the homeowners we wish to maintain the character, beauty and integrity of the building.

"That has been at the very forefront of our minds throughout this process and remains the cornerstone or our ambition to renovate the property and make it a forever home fit for our growing family and for future generations."

She stressed the key features of the property would not be changed and that planning permission for a single-storey extension had already been given.

Mendoros argued that adding another storey on top of this would only create an extra bedroom and bathroom, while the new double-height extension would hardly be visible from surrounding streets.

She told councillors the plan was supported by neighbours, adding: "This proposal will not harm the character and appearance of the property and the surrounding area.

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"Quite the contrary, it will provide a sympathetically renovated home that is fit for purpose for a growing family, retaining and enhancing the building's beautiful original charm and style."

A committee member of the Mortlake with East Sheen Society, Patience Trevor, told councillors the extension was "harmful to the building".

She added: "It has a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area and is in danger of setting a precedent for overbearing development elsewhere."

A council planning officer recommended refusal.

She advised: "The proposed first floor and roof extensions, by reason of their combined siting, height, width, depth, scale and design, would result in a dominant and unsympathetic form of development that would adversely impact on the appearance, form and proportion of the host Building of Townscape Merit to the detriment of its significance afforded from its historical association, architectural style and visual interest, and fail to preserve the character and appearance of the Christchurch Road Conservation Area."

Despite the objections, the committee approved the application by a vote of six to two.

The meeting can be viewed HERE and the discussion of Gandy's property begins at 1 hr 59 minutes and 37 seconds.

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