Homeowner branded ‘Batman’ for wanting to build underground base for their helicopter
A wealthy homeowner nicknamed ‘Batman’ has plans to build an underground storage lift beneath their manor home for a ‘Thunderbirds-style’ helicopter, leaving neighbours furious.
The application has been submitted on the grounds of Cookham Dene, a 19th century house in Chislehurst so the resident can ‘regularly access and make use of a private aircraft at their property’.
The lift will set eight metres underground and be made of concrete with a grass-covered lid on top.
The online papers add: ‘Currently helicopters landed in this location have to remain in situ or [be] moved off-site due to the grounds being open to the elements and posing a security risk, which increases potential for damage to the Applicant’s property.’
Neighbours have already objected on the grounds of noise, and an invasion of their privacy and the closeness of Biggin Hill airport.
One wrote online: ‘It’s outrageous to even consider allowing facilitating the use of an helicopter in a residential area where people want and need quiet.
‘Biggin Hill is 10 minutes away and this person will not be so inconvenienced that they can’t make the drive.
‘On top of that our privacy is violated with these aircrafts flying so close our residences. Completely opposed to this permission.’
Another resident commented on how the previous owner who lived at the manor house between 2002 and 2022 had a helicopter and it would cause ‘horrific’ noise when it took off.
They said: ‘I can attest to the terrible noise, the smell of aviation fuel, the fact that our house doors and windows rattled.
‘My infant son was terrified whenever it arrived or took off, our enjoyment of our garden was spoilt and I cannot agree that a built up area is the place to regularly use a helicopter.’
But others said they had no problem with the plans – comparing the applicant to ‘Batman’.
Sue McNamera, 74, has lived in her home for three years, which backs onto the land where the helicopter lift is proposed to be built.
The pensioner says her main concern is for the environmental impact that the pollution might have.
She said: ‘Environmentally it is very concerning. I would be very opposed to it because I am very local. It backs onto my property.
‘I am always against people owning helicopters. It is immoral and totally wrong.
‘It is environmentally unstable and a total nuisance.’
However, Lawrence Kemp, 56, who has lived in his home next door to the property for 22 years says him and his kids have always loved watching helicopters take off from the manor house.
He said: ‘The previous owners had a helicopter and my kids loved it. They used to run out run out to watch it take off. If anything people enjoy looking at it.
‘It never really was a problem. It is not like he is turning it into an airport. It is going to be underground so it wont be sat there all the time. I have no objections.
‘They have so much land that it is basically like taking off from the middle of the woods. The rumour was that the land would be turned into eight houses, and this is much better than that.
‘If anything an underground helicopter park is quite cool.’
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, also supported the new plans – hitting back at the neighbours who objected.
The builder who lives in a nearby flat said: ‘It is only a little helicopter. It is a cool Thunderbirds-style contraption.
‘At the end of the day if you live somewhere like this then you expect people to want these things. It is the same as people getting on a plane and getting annoyed at babies crying.
‘I think the people objecting are out of order. This guy is like Batman.’
Bromley Council will make a decision on the application at a later date.
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