Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s brother has sensationally accused the star’s wealthy Surrey neighbours of ‘borderline racism’ in an extraordinary row over garden decking.
The millionaire footballer’s sibling branded neighbours ‘rude’ and ‘frankly pathetic’ after they accused the family of blasting ‘X-rated drill rap’ music into their homes from the structure, in a strongly-worded letter to the council.
The family claimed the neighbours’ criticism was ‘extremely offensive’ and that ‘no rules had been broken’ by the star building decking in the garden of his £1.7 million home in Cobham, Surrey, without planning permission.
But the Premier League player, who has signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea worth £150,000-a-week, has been ordered to remove the 3.3-metre-high structure within two months, after he failed to overturn an earlier ruling.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek had a three-storey deck (right) built in the garden of his home. The structure, which was installed without planning permission, replaced a mature tree which grew from a sloping bank (left)
The star’s brother claimed his neighbours’ criticism was ‘extremely offensive’ and that ‘no rules had been broken’ by building the decking in the garden of his £1.7 million home in Cobham, Surrey
Planning inspector Hilary Orr concluded: ‘I find that the development is significantly harmful to the living conditions of existing and future occupiers [of the neighbouring property] with reference to loss of privacy and overlooking.’
Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Watford in May
The row began four years ago when Mr Loftus-Cheek had the three-storey deck built in the garden of his home. The structure, which was installed without planning permission, replaced a mature tree which grew from a sloping bank.
However his neighbours complained that they had lost privacy in their homes because it was possible to look into their gardens from the decking.
Others claimed the player played loud, X-rated drill rap music from his garden, in letters to Elmbridge Borough Council.
The footballer applied for retrospective planning permission. But Elmbridge Borough Council refused.
His mother Juliette Cheek, who also lives at the five-bedroom property located close to the Chelsea FC training ground, appealed this planning decision.
And Cheek’s brother submitted a letter in support of their mother’s appeal in September last year.
He wrote: ‘I support the application for the decking as I think the reasons for the objections to it are quite frankly pathetic.’
He claimed his neighbours’ privacy had not been compromised as the decking was no higher than the sloping bank where the mature tree had been. A higher fence had been built to compensate, he added.
‘We can in no way, see their garden from ours,’ he said.
He added: ‘With regards to the noise level. This is especially rude and pathetic as we have had not one party this year at our house.
‘I can only recall one incident this summer where we when [sic] we had played music. In the day time on a weekend.
The row began four years ago when Mr Loftus-Cheek had the three-storey deck built in the garden of his home in Cobham, Surrey, in 2016
However his neighbours complained that they had lost privacy in their homes because it was possible to look into their gardens from the decking
Others claimed the player played loud, X-rated drill rap music from his garden, in letters to Elmbridge Borough Counci
The footballer applied for retrospective planning permission for the decking in the garden. But Elmbridge Borough Council refused.
‘And we were forced to turn it off by dramatic screams and whistles.
‘We have not played music after hours.. No rules have been broken here.
‘The fact that our music is ‘ghetto’ and not conformed to their ‘leafy Surrey’ taste, I find extremely offensive and borderline racist.
‘To conclude, we are residents here and have the right to enjoy our garden without being victimised by ridiculous and petty remarks because of our differences in the local neighbourhood.’
One neighbour complained: ‘We have certainly lost the earlier privacy of our garden.
‘The decking also seems to accommodate speakers which face directly towards our garden, and during summer months we are regularly forced to scream over the fence to get the volume turned down.’
The star’s brother claimed their neighbours’ privacy had not been compromised as the decking was no higher than the sloping bank where the mature tree had been
The planning inspector ruled: ‘I conclude that the appeal should not succeed. I shall uphold the enforcement notice and refuse to grant planning permission on the application.’
The row is the latest in a series of disputes between Mr Loftus-Cheek and his neighbours. Three years ago he argued with fellow Cobham residents over an extension on his five-bedroom house
The footballer’s appeal was dismissed.
The planning inspector ruled: ‘I conclude that the appeal should not succeed. I shall uphold the enforcement notice and refuse to grant planning permission on the application.’
The row is the latest in a series of disputes between Mr Loftus-Cheek and his neighbours.
Three years ago he argued with fellow Cobham residents over an extension on his five-bedroom house.
A neighbour complained that his planned two-storey garage extension would allow a direct view into their garden and devalue the property.
In 2016 an outbuilding next to his mansion was struck by lightning during a storm.