Retired accountant could be forced to demolish his luxury £4million Sandbanks home after his Ryvita boss neighbour complained it overlooked celebrity interior designer's balcony

Published: 13:52, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 13:57, 5 August 2026 A retired accountant has made a final desperate bid to keep his 'illegally built' £4million Sandbanks mansion after his wealthy neighbour complained about it overlooking a celebrity interior designer's balcony.  Neil Kennedy, 67, is hoping to avoid having to demolish his luxury harbourside home after losing a three-year planning war between him and his two wealthy neighbours on  Millionaires' Row. In 2023, Mr Kennedy knocked down his old chalet bungalow and rebuilt a three-storey modern development. But his neighbour Garth Weston, 57, the managing director of Ryvita, lodged a complaint after realising Mr Kennedy's builder hadn't stuck to the approved plans.  The unauthorised changes included extending a balcony which ended up overlooking the garden of Mr Kennedy's other neighbour - the glamorous interior designer, Celia Sawyer, who goes by 'Mrs Bling'.  Mrs Sawyer, a TV personality and the star of Channel 4's Four Rooms, claimed the bigger balcony invaded her privacy, especially as she often sunbathed in her bikini.  Windows were also added to the side of the house, including one that looked directly into Mr Weston's bedroom, and a noisy air conditioning unit which was built on the flat roof.  Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council told Mr Kennedy he had to apply for retrospective planning permission for the property which has three bedrooms and an indoor swimming pool and gym.  Officials approved this in January 2024, much to the annoyance of Mr Weston and Mrs Sawyer, who accused the council of failing to stand up to their neighbour.  The matter went to the High Court, after Mr Weston claimed the local authority's planning process had been unlawful.  Mr Weston argued that, significantly, the council planning officer had failed to visit the site and so could not get a clear understanding of the impact the changes had on Mr Weston and Ms Sawyer's homes.  Judge Andrew Keyser KC ruled in Mr Weston's favour, rendering the planning consent invalid.  Celia Sawyer's property (white) and Neil Kennedy's property (red) The balcony (highlighted) in Mr Kennedy's home he was forced to put in retrospective applications after Celia lodged a formal complaint over the breach of planning rules Neil Kennedy (pictured) could be forced to demolish his £4million Sandbanks mansion after a High Court ruling said the building was illegal  Mrs Sawyer (pictured) starred in Channel 4's Four Rooms, where the public try to sell their valuable and collectible items in exchange for a cash offer from one of the four dealers  He said: 'The officer did not visit the properties - arguable this did not enable a correct understanding of the subject development and the impact on neighbouring properties.  'The errors in the officer's report went beyond typing errors and there was a material misunderstanding of the factual position which renders the decision unlawful.'  The judge quashed the council's decision, rendering Mr Kennedy's home illegal.  He also ordered the Liberal Democrat-run BCP Council to pay Mr Weston's £14,754 court costs. The local authority has refused to disclose its costs.  Now, more than two years later, Mr Kennedy has submitted a fresh planning application in a desperate bid to be allowed to keep his three-storey home.  The application is to 'erect a replacement dwelling' - even though it is already there.  His planning consultant Martin Hanham appeared to lay the blame at the feet of the builders and architects who carried out the work, claiming Mr Kennedy was clueless that consent would be needed for any changes.  In a letter to the planning department Mr Hanham said: 'I would like to point out that my client is not a builder or developer, but a retired accountant.  Neil Kennedy's home (right) and Garth Weston's home (left) pictured in 2009 before the building work had taken place  The three properties involved are situated in a quiet cul-de-sac on Sandbanks' Millionaires Row. Pictured: Neil Kennedy's house (centre left), Celia Sawyer's house (centre right) 'Having secured planning consent for the replacement dwelling, he put all the building works in the hands of a local construction company who appointed another firm of architects to deal with the building regulation application.  'My client was aware that very minor changes were made during the construction phase but he was not aware as to whether any form of planning consent was required and if so whether such consents had been secured.  'Given that all the changes made to the approved plans have now been inspected on site by your council and it has been confirmed, none of the changes made raise any planning issues, I trust that an approval will be forthcoming in the near future.'  The Sandbanks Neighbourhood Forum has objected to the latest application stating the design does not comply with the policies on overlooking and impact on neighbours and noise.  They said: 'The plant location or noise generation should be properly considered as it is right next to the east boundary and also reinstating the privacy screens from the first approval, the only current approval.  'We suggest the Planning Officer makes a proper assessment of this application.'  It does not appear that any enforcement action has been taken against Mr Kennedy, despite the house not being approved in its current form four years after it was completed.  All of the parties involved declined to comment.