George Michael’s sister has won a battle over his crumbling £10 million ($A20 million) mansion despite complaints from neighbours.
George Michael’s sister has won a battle over his crumbling £10 million ($A20 million) mansion despite complaints from neighbours.
The late singer’s only living sibling, Yioda Panayiotou, has been granted permission to chop down historic trees at the “rundown” property in Hampstead, London, The Sun reports.
Yioda took ownership of the estate after her brother died aged 53 on Christmas Day in 2016 and left the bulk of his £98 million ($A193 million) fortune to his two sisters. His sibling Melanie passed away just three years later.
Last month, photos emerged of the “Faith” singer’s house having fallen into despair, showing it in a dilapidated state.
As the sole owner of the home, Yioda is restoring it, with renovation work already underway.
Her design team applied to Camden Council to remove a number of trees and prune others at the front and rear of the property, which is in a conservation area.
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Since George Michael’s shock death in 2016, his home in London has slumped into disrepair. Picture: Peter Still/Redferns
The late singer’s £10m London home lies in ruins. Picture: Camden Council
George with parents Jack and Lesley, and sisters Melanie and Yioda. Picture: Instagram
But the plans faced fierce resistance from an angry neighbour and the community group, Redington Frognal Neighbourhood Forum [RFNF], which called the application “regrettable” and “very concerning”.
However, the council has given the go-ahead anyway, stating in its delegated report that the trees are “not visible”, “not of cultural or historical importance” and not an “unusual species”.
In two letters sent within a space of a few days, the RFNF said in the first that “any loss of mature trees which provide habitat for wildlife is regrettable.
“The need for maintenance is neighbourhood recognised, but should not be undertaken during the nesting season”.
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George’s younger sister Yioda was handed the keys to his Highgate mansion. Picture: Camden Council
Yioda has been granted permission to chop down trees at the “rundown” property Picture: Camden Council
Scaffolding is being used to keep the property secure after years of decay. Picture: Camden Council
They added that the trees are of particular importance as the estate is “in an area with much underground water”.
They also asked that “all felled trees and shrubs be replaced with native species providing high value to wildlife”.
Yet four days later, after reviewing previous planning applications which included tree felling, it lambasted the plans.
“Having now checked the history of intent to fell notifications over the past years, it is very concerning that three mature forest trees have been lost: two poplars and a sycamore.
“The Neighbourhood Forum would like to suggest that the current works should include the replacement of two of the previously felled poplars.
George Michael on his 2010 tour of Australia. Picture: Getty
“They would be ideal for helping to address surface water run-off in such a wet area, in addition to providing valuable wildlife habitat.
“In the light of this history, its would be appreciated if the previous comment could be amended to an objection,” stated the group, which was “established for the express purpose of promoting or improving the social, economic and environmental well being of the area”.
George raked in huge sums over the years, with his accounts showing he earned more than £48 million ($A98 million) from touring between April 2006 and March 2008 alone.
He used his money to invest heavily in art, buying up pieces by Banksy, Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.
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George Michael’s former clifftop home in Sydney. Picture: realestate.com.au
The property was first been sold in 2020 for $A5.8 million. Picture: realestate.com.au
He also owned numerous properties including the £5 million ($A10.2 million) house in Oxfordshire where he died, a £2.5 million ($A5.1 million) home in Los Angeles and a £3.5 million ($A5.8 million) beach house in Sydney.
Yioda’s plans for his London home include flattening a “leaning” eight-metre high Hollie and an 11-metre evergreen Thuja tree, which is “growing within close proximity of the building”.
Plus a 13-metre Mature Leyland Cypress, which is “fast growing” and in “fairly close proximity to the building”.
Yioda’s team also want to trim down a massive sycamore which is hanging over the garages. They’ve asked to reduce the 18-metre size and remove dead wood.
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the Wham! documentary. Picture: Supplied / Netflix
This is described as “controlling encroachment” or “general maintenance”.
In May, Yioda got the green light from the council to transform the house, which had fallen into disrepair over the last decade.
She’s having a new roof, solar panels, new doors and windows, decking, and one of the garages is being turned into living quarters.
Parts of this story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.
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