James Corden Faces Backlash Over Front Garden Renovations

London, United Kingdom – Comedian James Corden is facing criticism from neighbors after paving over part of the front garden at his north London mansion to create more storage space for his wheelie bins. Corden, 47, submitted a retrospective planning application for the work in September, claiming that the changes involved repairing existing paving slabs and planting four new trees.

Residents in the strict conservation area object to the renovations, arguing they reduce biodiversity and green space. One neighbor, Deborah Buzan, expressed her discontent, saying, “Front gardens being paved over is bad for the environment. It is not good for wildlife and reduces the enjoyment of residents who now look at barren areas instead of plants.”

Corden purchased the property for £11.5 million last year. He lives there with his wife, Julia Carey, and their three children. Details of his planning application indicated that an area of approximately 18 square meters was repaved, which included transforming a previously graveled area into a hard surface for bin storage.

Local residents and council members have criticized the application. Alan Selwyn, a trustee of a local residents’ association, labeled the work “inappropriate,” explaining that the use of industrial materials harms the landscape. He raised concerns that two existing Acer trees are at risk due to the impermeable concrete slabs and stated, “The removal of natural habitat reduces biodiversity in an already reduced area.”

Tom Simon, leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat opposition, emphasized, “There is no valid justification for the loss of green space in this instance, so the application should be resisted.” Corden’s landscaping efforts follow earlier proposals for an outbuilding in his garden, which also raised neighbors’ concerns about noise.