Rag ‘n’ Bone Man accuses developer of ‘bully tactics’ over plans to build homes NEXT to his £1m home
Not in my back yard! Singer Rag ‘n’ Bone Man accuses property developers of ‘bully tactics’ over plans to build dozens of houses NEXT to his £1m Sussex home
Hitmaker, real name Rory Graham, 36, asked residents for support on FacebookHe said the proposed 34-home project in Heathfield will only make traffic worseSongwriter, from Uckfield, threatened to sell up and move if construction begins
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Singer Rag ‘n’ Bone Man has issued a call to arms to fight a property development being built behind his £1million home in East Sussex.
The hitmaker, real name Rory Graham, 36, told neighbours in a Facebook rant that the developer behind the 34 homes in Heathfield had used ‘bully tactics’ to try to buy his four-bedroom property.
He asked residents in the affluent market town to support his opposition to the project, which is planned for the the Snatchells Farm site and includes 12 affordable homes.
Developer Whitehall Homes told the Mail Online today that the project would cause ‘minimal inconvenience toward the greater community’ while helping to reduce the area’s ‘affordable housing deficit.’
But singer-songwriter Mr Graham, who is from Uckfield and has lived in Sussex for most of his life, threatened to sell up and leave if the construction goes ahead.
He wrote: ‘Whitehall Homes Ltd want to build 34 houses on the land behind us.
The hitmaker, real name Rory Graham (pictured), 36, told neighbours in a Facebook rant that the developer behind the 34 homes in Heathfield had used ‘bully tactics’ to try to buy his four-bedroom property
‘They’ve spent the last year using bully tactics to try and acquire my property.
‘Cutting down 50 plus trees and destroying wildlife.
‘I don’t want to leave the area, but if the planning goes ahead, I’ll have to move.
‘Imagine what that many houses will do to the already growing traffic problems coming out of town. Any support would be appreciated.’
He added: ‘I don’t want money, I want a place for my son to grow up.’
His views are supported by several locals on the Heathfield Community Group Facebook page, where one branded the project a prime example of ‘the over development of country land.’
The picturesque town sits between Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne and is surrounded by woodland.
Whitehall Homes plans to build 34 homes – 12 of them affordable – on the Snatchells Farm site in Heathfield, East Sussex
Another resident said: ‘We just cannot have any more building in our community… the Snatchells Farm building will be in a dangerous position for more traffic.’
Another agreed: ‘More traffic going to be hitting that already busy road!’
It comes after Mr Graham’s request for an extension to his own property – including a swimming pool and hot tub – was previously rejected by the council for being ‘out of character’ for the area.
The so-called ‘party barn’ would have featured a ground floor pool, changing rooms, covered entrance and outdoor decking area coupled with a first floor ‘entertainment space’ – housing a bar, kitchen and balcony terrace.
But in a letter of objection at the time, the local parish council told planners: ‘The scale is disproportionate when comparing to the existing dwelling.
The picturesque town of Heathfield (pictured) sits between Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne and is surrounded by woodland
‘The scheme would be tantamount to the formation of a new dwelling.’
Whitehall Homes is currently carrying out a community consultation for its project on its website, asking locals for their feedback for the plans – which include improving access roads and footpaths to the site.
It comes after the local Wealden District Council received more than 150 adjoining/neighbour letters, reported Sussex Live.
Rag ‘n’ Bone Man shot to stardom with his No.1 debut single Human in 2016.
He has amassed an estimated £5million fortune thanks to follow up hits including his number one album Life By Misadventure.
He bought his Heathfield home for £835,000 four years ago but it is now believed to be worth around £1million.
It sits on 2.8 acres of land and comes complete with a spring and pony paddock.
Whitehall Homes said: ‘Whitehall Homes has made a considerable effort to provide a housing development that caters for the local community and recognised local housing shortage.
‘Our proposals take due consideration and care for ecology in order to provide an environmentally friendly development that we are proud of.
‘The location of the development will cause minimal inconvenience toward the greater community and boasts a truly outstanding location for future private occupiers.
‘The development will also make a contribution toward the local affordable housing deficit and will make significant funding contributions toward the local and wider community.’
