Demolition work begins on the top floor of the Mousetrap producer’s £4 million ‘fortress house’ after neighbours complained it looked like a Travelodge
A West End theatre producer’s £4m ‘fortress home’, which has been compared to a budget hotel, is to be downsized after a lengthy planning dispute.
This week, builders were seen demolishing the top floor of Adam Speigel’s modernist house in the Norfolk coastal village of Cley.
Mr Spiegel, who produced London’s West End shows “The Mousetrap” and “Hairspray,” has been fighting to keep the house for nearly five years.
Mr Spiegel and his wife Charlotte were originally ordered to demolish the three-story house because they had violated building regulations.
However, in April, Mr. Spiegel agreed to demolish the top floor of the house to reduce the size of the property in an effort to preserve the house.
The house in Cley, Norfolk, has been compared to a Travelodge by neighbours
This week, construction workers were seen demolishing the top floor of Adam Speigel’s modernist house
The house was compared to a budget hotel by some angry neighbors
The house can be seen from a distance, surrounded by greenery
Theatre producer Adam Spiegel and his wife Charlotte (pictured together) are in a protracted dispute with town planners over their controversial Norfolk estate
Mr Spiegel’s home in North Norfolk. The extraordinary planning dispute resulted in the theatre producer being asked to dismantle the entire top floor of his £2million mansion
The property seen from above. Construction began in 2016. The following year, builders were told to stop work after it was discovered that the property did not conform to approved plans.
The towering top floor is to be replaced with a gable roof that will better fit into the picturesque landscape and surrounding coastal properties.
The house is called Arcady, which means “rustic paradise,” but locals in the village compare it to a “dystopian fortress.”
Local residents had previously stated that the modern property “does not fit” into the village, which consists mainly of picturesque flint houses.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, previously said: “I don’t like it, it’s too big and just doesn’t fit in with the rest of the village.”
“We call it the Travelodge hotel because it’s so big and it’s all lit up at night so it looks like every window is lit up.”
Villager David Villings said last December: “It’s a real mystery how they got the permission in the first place. It just doesn’t fit with the village and its surroundings.”
“This is a traditional Norfolk village and the house stands out like a sore thumb. All the other buildings in the village are either original or have been designed to look traditional.
“But this place is just an eyesore – it looks like a five-year-old designed it with a box of Lego bricks.”
Work begins on demolition of top floor of Norfolk property
The huge, boxy modernist house, named Arcady, which means “rustic paradise” in Greek, has sparked controversy among locals who have claimed the house is “a sore thumb.”
The Arcady House seen from the village. In the past, residents have compared the design to a Travelodge and another local called it a “dystopian fortress”.
The Arcady estate has sparked anger among locals in the coastal community, with some complaining that it is “lit up like a Christmas tree” at night, while others have criticised its modern design as “dystopian”.
Shortly after work began in 2016, Mr Spiegel came under fire from North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), whose officials claimed the site was larger than originally planned.
Mr Spiegel submitted a new application to the NNDC in January. The council proposed demolishing the top floor of the building and then rebuilding it.
His agent, Ian Scholfield, said the new design was drawn up following a public consultation event in the village.
Despite the revision, the new gable roof will be higher in the ridge area than its predecessor.
Despite 19 objections to the planning application from villagers who felt it was too intrusive, councillors approved the plans.
Mr Spiegel has declined to comment throughout the story, which began when he applied in 2012 to demolish the bungalow that previously stood on the site and build a new house.
