|
|
 |
| |
| Flats roof up for sale, at £600,000 |
Battle lines drawn over plans
for penthouse
THEY tried to put phone masts on it, but residents at a
Hampstead block of flats staged a successful sit-down to stop workmen
and cranes. Now they face another battle with their landlord.
The owners of 1930s Greenhill block in Prince Arthur Road have put
its flat roof up for sale at an asking price of £600,000,
with a view to a penthouse being built on top, although planning
permission has still to be granted.
Hampstead-based estate agent Goldschmidt and Howland is looking
for offers for the 29,525 square foot space.
Describing it as “a rare opportunity for potential future development
subject to planning consent”, the advertisement adds: “This
roof space benefits from excellent 360 degree, far-reaching views
including the City and beyond.”
But the 138 Greenhill leaseholders have accused landlord Hildron
Finance of trying to push up the selling price of the block’s
freehold, which they are trying to buy.
Under laws introduced three years ago, leaseholders have the right
to purchase the freehold of their building if the majority approve,
but its value must be agreed by the leaseholders and the landlord.
Julian Gross, a 93-year-old war veteran who led the campaign against
the mobile phone masts, said: “As far as I knew, the negotiations
over the freehold have been going on for over a year and were going
very smoothly.
“I did not know about the roof sale.”
Mark Banin, another Greenhill resident, said: “I found out
the roof was for sale last week. They are obviously doing this to
push up the price for the freehold.”
Dr Harold Lipman, chairman of Greenhilll Residents’ Association,
said that negotiations with the landlords were “in hand”.
Hildron Finance, thought to be a holding company for the owner,
did not respond to a request from the New Journal for a comment.
But Goldschmidt and Howland director Richard Humphreys said: “Until
the landlords exchange on the freehold they are perfectly entitled
to put the roof up for sale. There is nothing unusual in that –
it is happening more and more these days.” |
|
|
