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Post-PM Blair home gets go-ahead Post-PM Blair home gets go-ahead
(20 minutes later)
Tony and Cherie Blair have been given permission to carry out renovations to the London town house they are set to live in when they leave Downing Street.Tony and Cherie Blair have been given permission to carry out renovations to the London town house they are set to live in when they leave Downing Street.
Some neighbours had objected to the Blairs' plans, which include a roof terrace, solar panels and CCTV.Some neighbours had objected to the Blairs' plans, which include a roof terrace, solar panels and CCTV.
But Westminster Council's planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the plans for the house in exclusive Connaught Square.But Westminster Council's planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the plans for the house in exclusive Connaught Square.
Committee chairman Alastair Moss described it as a "sensitive scheme".Committee chairman Alastair Moss described it as a "sensitive scheme".
The Blairs will merge the property, which they bought in 2004 for £3.65m, with a mews house in neighbouring Archery Close.The Blairs will merge the property, which they bought in 2004 for £3.65m, with a mews house in neighbouring Archery Close.
Residents had said the open terrace proposed would be noisy and smelly, and also dismissed the idea of solar panels as "nothing more than fashion accessories".Residents had said the open terrace proposed would be noisy and smelly, and also dismissed the idea of solar panels as "nothing more than fashion accessories".
But committee chairman Mr Moss said: "Overall this is a very sensitive scheme which will actually improve the properties... it is almost reinstating the building to how it was internally."But committee chairman Mr Moss said: "Overall this is a very sensitive scheme which will actually improve the properties... it is almost reinstating the building to how it was internally."
'Building restrictions' Building restrictions
He said the roof terrace was acceptable because it would be "so well concealed " and because other terraces already existed on the street.He said the roof terrace was acceptable because it would be "so well concealed " and because other terraces already existed on the street.
CCTV cameras would be acceptable as long as they were "sensitively placed and discreet".CCTV cameras would be acceptable as long as they were "sensitively placed and discreet".
The solar panels were welcomed because the committee strongly endorses sustainable buildings and the use of alternative energy, however minor the contribution, Mr Moss said.The solar panels were welcomed because the committee strongly endorses sustainable buildings and the use of alternative energy, however minor the contribution, Mr Moss said.
The detail of the building work will still need further approval.The detail of the building work will still need further approval.
They also ruled that building work can be carried out only between 0800 and 1800 on Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, and between 0800 and 1300 on Saturdays.They also ruled that building work can be carried out only between 0800 and 1800 on Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, and between 0800 and 1300 on Saturdays.