A self-made property tycoon who, along with his brother, built an enormous property empire from the ground-up, has been given the green light to build a super basement complete with a car museum, dance studio and wine cellar at his huge estate – dubbed ‘Candyland’.
Christian Candy’s plans for the circular underground complex, which can house up to 57 luxury cars on his opulent £150million estate in Surrey, have been approved by the local council.
The petrol-head may use the motor museum to hold some of the Ferraris, Rolls Royces or Mercedes that he and his brother Nick own.
It is further good news for the billionaire, 45, who reportedly recently agreed to sell his huge London mansion for £104million.
His country pile already features a £30million pad, reached by a £9million driveway, and has a number of luxury amenities, such as a flood-lit tennis court and custom built pool.
Christian and his wife, the former socialite Emily Crompton, 38, bought the four properties surrounding his estate in order to create a huge manor where they live with their two children.
Christian, 45, and his wife, the former socialite Emily Crompton, 38, bought the four properties surrounding his opulent house, to create a huge manor where they live with their two children
The extensive underground car museum will have enough space for 57 vehicles, alongside a 12-room wine cave
These plans reveal the large underground museum will be beneath the front lawn and will be reached by a ramp and protected by ram-proof sliders
The estate it is thought to be worth 40 times more than Ed Sheeran’s luxurious ‘Sheeranville’ in Suffolk.
Now property mogul Christian has got the green light to extend it further. Work has already been completed on the huge circular basement, which is around 60 metres wide, following a previously successful application.
But work is due to start on the development of the car museum and dance studio following approval from the council.
The vast underground area is similar to a development he completed beneath his recently sold 14-bedroom London pad, next to Regent’s Park.
Cars will be driven down the basement via a curved ramp built into a lawn in front of his huge red-brick mansion.
The approved proposal was for: ‘Development of an underground basement car museum, dance studio and storage with access ramp and pedestrian access stairwell.’
The council’s decision read: ‘The development is considered to have no greater impact on the Green Belt, subject to the imposition of conditions, and will retain trees and provide enhancements for protected species.
‘The proposal will also preserve the residential amenity of neighbouring dwellings.’
Pictured is the sumptuous mansion also in the plans, which will have a swimming pool, gym and massage room underneath it
This shows the four sides of the single-floor mansion, which have also been submitted in the planning application
Beneath the mansion plans reveal that there will be a swimming pool, gym and massage room for the occupant
However Christian must be careful not to cut down any trees or damage any wildlife, according to the planning permission conditions.
The council’s development manager, wrote: ‘Many trees contain wildlife such as bats and nesting birds that are protected by law.
‘The approval given by this notice does not override the protection afforded to these species and their habitats.
‘You must take any necessary steps to ensure that the work you are carrying out will not harm or disturb any protected species or their habitat.’
Christian and older brother Nick, 47, who he built his property empire with, are known for their love of cars.
The pair have owned a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Rolls-Royce convertible, a Mercedes SLR McLaren, a Ferrari F430 Spider, a Ferrari 575M Maranello, two Range Rovers, a Cherokee Jeep and a Renault Clio.
Christian’s huge basement will have a mechanics area and be guarded by ram-proof doors.
A quaint cottage, possibly for guests, will also be built in the grounds near the gate. It is pictured above
This map shows the initial layout of the estate, in blue, and the proposed changes to the site, in red
As well as the car park and car museum, there will be a vast 20 metre-long dance studio. It will also be kitted out with a recovery room complete with a massage table, and two toilets. Finishing off the incredible underground pad are 12 wine caves.
Mr Candy’s development of his huge mansion in Regent’s Park – the second largest in the capital after Buckingham Palace – caused a huge furore among his neighbours.
However there were no complaints from neighbours to these plans, which helped him get the green light.
Mr Candy had already consulted with ecologists and arborealists to assess the impact of his plans on flora and fauna.
They suggested the mature trees should be kept, and one particular oak should be assessed for bats. They also advised the magnate against felling trees during bird nesting season.
The property mogul developed a fortune of more than £600million after starting out in property management with his brother Nick, who is married to former Neighbours actress Holly Valance. They are now thought to be worth more than £1.5billion.
Property mogul Christian developed a fortune of more than £600million after starting out in property management with his brother Nick (pictured left with Christian). Nick is married to former Neighbours actress Holly Valance (pictured right)
Nick and Christian are most famous for creating the luxury One Hyde Park apartment complex in Knightsbridge, central London
The brothers began renovating flats in their spare time between 1995 and 1999.
They started with a one-bedroom flat in Earl’s Court, London, which they bought with the help of a loan from their grandmother before selling it for a £50,000 profit.
Following several years of success, the brothers were then able to give up their day jobs and established their property business Candy & Candy in 1999.
They are most famous for creating the luxury One Hyde Park apartment complex in Knightsbridge, central London.
The brothers also own a large collection of luxury superyachts, private jets and a powerboat called Catch Me If You Candy.