Harry Redknapp has had his renovation plans for his Sandbanks mansion approved by his local council after initially rejecting the 'disjointed' and 'asymmetrical' palazzo-styled designs
The house, which overlooks Brownsea Island, has been approved to be transform into a traditional palazzo style home as seen around Lake Como in Italy(Image credit: Google Earth)
Harry Redknapp has won a planning battle against his local council over his plans to build an Italianate mansion on Sandbanks in Dorset.
The former Premier League manager and I'm A Celebrity winner recently purchased a dated waterside home for £7 million on the exclusive peninsula with his wife, Sandra Harris, 76.
Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Council have now approved planning permission for the six-bedroom mansion after previously criticising his proposal for a traditional Lake Como-inspired palazzo-style home, deeming it to be "overwhelming" and "disjointed."
Renovations could raise value of home to over £12m
The existing house on the property has had little renovation since it was originally built in 1963.
Redknapp's planned designs are to resemble a 19th-century palazzo (Italian architectural style that include flat roofs and columns) from Lake Como in Italy.
The new mansion would also offer sunset views over Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island and feature a low-pitched gable roof, Palladian-style columns, and balconies with wrought iron railings.
The proposed house style includes a grand entrance hall, an open-plan kitchen and dining area, multiple reception rooms, bedrooms with balconies, en suite bathrooms, a private lounge area and a lift for accessibility.
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The garden is also planned to be landscaped to suit the coastal environment. The estimated value of the completed mansion could exceed £12 million.
The planned design of the house was inspired by 19th century palazzo's around Lake Como in Italy (Image credit: Getty Images)
Plans were rejected due to being "disjointed and asymmetrical"
Redknapp's plans have undergone several changes due to criticisms of the palazzo-style home.
Redknapp was forced to make compromises with his plans such as altering window placements, reducing roof height and redesigning elements to appease the council, after planning permission was refused for the proposed construction.
BCP council raised a number of concerns such as the designs being "disjointed and asymmetrical", which they claim is not characteristic of the area.
They suggested Redknapp revise the height and width of the house as well as revising the size of the gable roof and change the 'arc-like' shape.
Redknapp's architects hit back at these claims citing that lack of symmetry is in line with villas around Lake Como. The architects representing Redknapp argued that many houses in the area occupy the entire width of their plots, even though the council is concerned about the new mansion's height.
BCP council previously called the palazzo-style home "disjointed and asymmetrical" and not in keeping with the area (Image credit: ARC Architects Ltd)
The number and style of the windows were also criticised as the designs included aluminium windows, which was said to not be 'traditional material' and not 'sustainable'.
The council also stated: "The window/wall ratio when it comes to the side elevations is still irregular. I suspect there might be some limitations in view of overlooking but still I think there is scope for revisions."
BCP council recommended wooden windows for the home as well as an increase in the number of windows to the home.
Although Redknapp's architects argued that wooden windows were "completely inappropriate" for the home and that Crittall style steel metal windows, which are rust proof and do not corrode, were far more appropriate.
However, Redknapp agreed to various adjustments, including reducing the house's height, adding more windows, and decreasing the size of the garage, which won over BCP council who approved the plans.
House based in 'Millionaire's Row'
Sandbanks is often referred to as 'Millionaire's Row' due to its wealthy homeowners, which includes Harry Redknapp and his son Jamie (Image credit: Getty Images)
Redknapp and his wife Sandra have a history of owning properties in the area. They have owned homes on Sandbanks and in Poole for over two decades.
In 2001, they purchased a mock Tudor mansion with a view of the harbour entrance on Sandbanks for £3 million and then sold that property for £6.9 million in 2015.
They moved to a new £4 million beachside mansion with five bedrooms nearby. The reason for leaving their previous modern glass-fronted home on Sandbanks was to gain more privacy from tourists who they claim constantly visited their house.
The posh peninsula of Sandbanks is also known as Millionaire’s Row due to it attracting wealthy and famous homeowners such as Liam Gallagher and Karl Pilkington, as well as fellow footballing names such as Graham Souness and Redknapp's son Jamie.
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
