Allan Hogg, 58, is suing over claims he was left living in a ‘human zoo’ by the building of a multimillion-pound gated development next to his home.
The hair stylist from Glasgow enjoyed a successful career behind the barber’s chair, owning a Toni and Guy franchise, working with award-winning hairdressers and becoming the favourite stylist of Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood.
WHAT HAPPENED?
He moved to London from his native Glasgow to pursue his career but is now suing developers, claiming that a gated development of £1m houses next door ruined his and his family’s privacy.
As well as builders being able to look right into their windows, residents were also plagued by noise, vibration and dust during the building work, with hanging baskets left swinging and neighbours suffering breathing problems, it is claimed.
Mr Hogg – suing alongside eight other residents of Wyatt Park Road, Streatham, south London – says the large windows opposite left him feeling like he was in a ‘human zoo’ while the work went on.
He ultimately moved out and later sold up, but is pursuing his ‘nuisance’ claim against developer, Hambridge Homes Ltd, at London’s Mayor’s and City County Court.
THE FIRM THINKS THEY’RE RIGHT
The firm denies building the development in an ‘inconsiderate’ way and creating excessive dust, noise and light, and says that windows overlooking the neighbouring properties were not a proper basis for a claim for nuisance.
COURT HEARD
During a four-day trial last week, Judge Nicholas Parfitt heard that the Pakefield Mews development in Streatham Hill went ahead after planning permission was granted in 2011.
The private gated development – comprising six flats and another six five-bedroom houses, which all sold for around £1m in 2016 – was built on former 1950s garages.
However, it was controversial from the start, with some residents of neighbouring Wyatt Park Road, which backs onto the development, complaining about the way the work was carried out.
HE’S NOT WALKING ALONE
Mr Hogg is suing alongside his wife Vanessa, and neighbours Fiona Clarey, Adelle Martins, Ian Milne, Vicky Price, Robert Roach, and Errol and Maureen Brown.
