Residents of square home to Tony Blair fight banker’s ‘grotesque’ plan for pool in basement

Residents of the Georgian square where Tony Blair and Claudia Winkleman live are fighting a wealthy financier’s “grotesque and vulgar” plans for a basement swimming pool.

Mubashir Mukadam, who works for New York investment firm KKR, has submitted plans for his £8.5 million Connaught Square mansion.

However, the proposal for his Grade II listed townhouse near Marble Arch has received dozens of objections from neighbours, who hold an exclusive annual summer party in the square.

One resident said: “Connaught Square is a historic square in central London, built with Georgian terrace houses where, at the very least, it would appear vulgar to cater to a swimming pool extension, let alone the safety issues surrounding the fact that the properties are built on foundations first laid in the early 19th century.

“A swimming pool is an inappropriate and unnecessary use in such a building. There is a good public swimming pool a few minutes’ walk away. We sincerely hope this is the last time the residents of the square all united have to object to this grotesque planning application.”

The square is home to the Blair family and TV presenter Winkleman and former residents include ballerina Marie Taglioni, DJ Paul Oakenfold and author Nigel Balchin.

Mr Mukadam bought the house for £5,485,000 in 2012 and lives there with his wife and children.

The India-born banker originally submitted plans for a larger basement with jacuzzi, sauna and cinema room — and a bigger pool — in 2014 but withdrew them after they were recommended for refusal.

They have since been twice amended, reducing the size of the extension to a single storey covering 750 sq ft.

However, Nick Johnson OBE, chairman of the Hyde Park Estate Association, called the plan “ludicrous” and said: “This application is an alarming example of a savage proposal to completely change the structure and design of a unique listed home. The listed homes already have adequate basement accommodation.

“If the applicant wants a home with a swimming pool, then he needs to buy a bigger plot in an area where the land and local planning environment would not be so badly affected.”

A member of Mr Mukadam’s development team said: “He’s very conservative and would take zero risks on something like this on his or his neighbours’ properties.”

A report by Westminster council’s director of planning said previous concerns had been overcome and recommended the latest plan for approval “despite the continued concerns expressed by neighbouring residents”. A decision will be made at the planning applications committee tomorrow.