Sonam Kapoor-Anand Ahuja’s London Project Sparks Row
Residents of the elite neighbourhood are wary of the actor and her husband’s plan to extensively renovate the London property in Notting Hill
Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja are reportedly facing resistance from residents in London’s upscale Notting Hill neighbourhood. The actor and her husband, who divide their time between their sprawling homes in London and Mumbai, purchased a rundown property worth £21 million (approximately `270 crore) in 2023.
As reported by the Daily Mail UK, the couple submitted plans to extensively renovate the 200-year-old property in West London. The proposal reportedly included retaining only the four outer walls of the structure while adding a basement swimming pool and a basketball court. The plans were approved by the council a month ago. (In the United Kingdom, major renovations require council approval.)
However, the Daily Mail reported that dissent emerged among residents in the neighbourhood after it was learnt that the couple had allegedly purchased five flats worth around `4 crore in the Hillcrest area, reportedly intending to convert them into living quarters for caretakers and staff.
Residents who spoke to the UK daily voiced concerns over the development. According to the report, some claimed they were warned during a private meeting with a company spokesperson that if objections escalated, the flats could instead be made available for “social housing.”
Notting Hill is also home to several high profile names, including Ed Sheeran, Elton John and Stella McCartney.