13th May 2007
Palace to lose extension
The Windsors out and about in their Westminster precinct
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Put up without planning permission on the side of their council and state provided housing, Buckingham Palace, Phillip and Elizabeth Windsor have now got just weeks to remove it before the council does it for them.
Lean to
A spokesman from Westminster's planning division said that Buckingham Palace was in a conservation zone and strict regulations had to be followed. But cocky Phillip is said to have not even bothered filing an application before putting up a two storey lean-to extension on the east side of their London home.
Worse, according to the council, it does not even fit with the original style.
The spokesman said: "Buckingham Palace is a neo-Classical building, whereas the illegal extension has clearly been built from cinder blocks and cheap roofing felt."
Officials were alerted to the extra part of the Palace after tourists complained that it looked different to the pictures on postcards. Council workers investigated and found that not only had it breached local regulations, but no permission was ever applied for.
And the Windsors could be in even more trouble after photographs apparently reveal son Charles - officially on incapacity benefit following a polo accident -working on the extension.
Fall in
Local Resident Shamus Duffey, of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, Green Park, complained about the addition to his neighbour's house.
"Things always used to be quiet around here, I could always guarantee a good night's sleep in my bag," he said, "but since that extension it has been a place of non-stop partying. I went over to complain the other night, but their grandsons and a few other squaddies told me to 'button my lip' before they did it for me."
Cock up
This is not the first time that the Windsors have gotten into trouble with their council over alterations to Buckingham Palace. In 2001 they had to restore their massive driveway after the late Queen Mother handed over her life savings to two Irish callers to tarmac it. Phil and Liz were said to be furious at her for doing so and complied with rulings.
In 1996, the council knocked down a building in their garden that son Andrew moved into following his divorce.
The family had originally claimed it was only a potting shed for Phillip, but investigation revealed that the so-called shed had fully-functioning plumbing, a bedroom, kitchenette and helicopter landing pad for the former Navy pilot.
Even the demolition order did not pass without incident, with the Windsors threatening to set their gang - local troublemakers 'the Guards' - onto the crew but the levelling proceeded without major incident.
When we contacted Buckingham Palace for comment, they maintained their traditional silence, no doubt in the hope that the council would forget about the extension. Royal equerry Lieutenant-Commander Heber Ackland told us: "Extension? I've got no idea what you're on about, please go away. This line is for serious callers only."
Lean to
A spokesman from Westminster's planning division said that Buckingham Palace was in a conservation zone and strict regulations had to be followed. But cocky Phillip is said to have not even bothered filing an application before putting up a two storey lean-to extension on the east side of their London home.
Worse, according to the council, it does not even fit with the original style.
The spokesman said: "Buckingham Palace is a neo-Classical building, whereas the illegal extension has clearly been built from cinder blocks and cheap roofing felt."
Officials were alerted to the extra part of the Palace after tourists complained that it looked different to the pictures on postcards. Council workers investigated and found that not only had it breached local regulations, but no permission was ever applied for.
And the Windsors could be in even more trouble after photographs apparently reveal son Charles - officially on incapacity benefit following a polo accident -working on the extension.
Fall in
Local Resident Shamus Duffey, of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, Green Park, complained about the addition to his neighbour's house.
"Things always used to be quiet around here, I could always guarantee a good night's sleep in my bag," he said, "but since that extension it has been a place of non-stop partying. I went over to complain the other night, but their grandsons and a few other squaddies told me to 'button my lip' before they did it for me."
Cock up
This is not the first time that the Windsors have gotten into trouble with their council over alterations to Buckingham Palace. In 2001 they had to restore their massive driveway after the late Queen Mother handed over her life savings to two Irish callers to tarmac it. Phil and Liz were said to be furious at her for doing so and complied with rulings.
In 1996, the council knocked down a building in their garden that son Andrew moved into following his divorce.
The family had originally claimed it was only a potting shed for Phillip, but investigation revealed that the so-called shed had fully-functioning plumbing, a bedroom, kitchenette and helicopter landing pad for the former Navy pilot.
Even the demolition order did not pass without incident, with the Windsors threatening to set their gang - local troublemakers 'the Guards' - onto the crew but the levelling proceeded without major incident.
When we contacted Buckingham Palace for comment, they maintained their traditional silence, no doubt in the hope that the council would forget about the extension. Royal equerry Lieutenant-Commander Heber Ackland told us: "Extension? I've got no idea what you're on about, please go away. This line is for serious callers only."
