Boohoo's billionaire owners may have to tear down 'unsightly' gates at their £2.8m Georgian mansion
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Boohoo's billionaire owners may be forced to tear down a set of 'unsightly' gates to the entrance of their Georgian mansion after flouting planning rules.
The Kamani family are locked in a row with their council after building a new super-sized entrance to their Cheshire country manor.
The company founder Mahmud Kamani had planning for a new set of gates approved at the property four years ago.
But it is said the gates that were built bare little resemblance to their original plans, causing a stir with their wealthy neighbours who called them 'visually obstructive'.
Boohoo's billionaire owners Mahmud and Aisha Kamani bought their sprawling mansion in Cheshire (above) for £2.8 million six years ago from former Premier League footballer Ashley Ward and his Real Housewives of Cheshire star Dawn
The couple had planning permission to build new gates at the entrance to the property in 2016 and work was finished on the new gates the following year. But the finished work (above) has prompted a number of complaints from wealthy neighbours
Residents in the area, which is a favourite with millionaire footballers, say that there is a clear disparity between the simple design that was approved and what they say is the finished article, which is not in keeping with other properties nearby
How it was meant to look: Original plans show a simple style entrance with two pillars, timber gates and a modest stone wall
Mr Kamani is already facing a crisis over claims clothes supplied to Boohoo were made in Leicester sweat shops where staff were paid as little as £3.50 an hour.
The sweatshop slavery scandal wiped 40 per cent off the company's share price and its founders saw the value of of their stake drop £335 million in just two days.
Mr Kamani and his wife Aisha saw £334million wiped off the value of Boohoo in just two days over the sweatshop scandal
But the former market stall trader, 55, who founded the company in 2006, also has a predicament closer to home as the row rumbles on over the controversial gates at the Grade II-listed mansion he and wife Aisha bought six years ago for £2.8million from former footballer Ashley Ward and his Real Housewives of Cheshire star wife Dawn.
The 18th Century Georgian farmhouse, close to the footballers' haven of Alderley Edge, was completely refurbished by the Wards and during its sale was described as meeting 'all the demands of today's discerning purchaser, including a recently-added leisure wing with gym and swimming pool.'
It was also said great care had been taken to retain the property's original character 'with original fireplaces, a traditional Christians kitchen, solid oak doors, bespoke fitted furniture and a tasteful balance of traditional and contemporary style bathrooms.'
The property boasts six bedrooms with six en suites, a mezzanine gym, oak-panelled entrance hall, marble fireplaces, a games room, family room and snug, children's playroom, sweeping oak staircase, lake, rolling lawns, ring-fenced paddock, self-contained two-bed apartment, large garage and stables.
The Kamanis were given permission in 2016 to remove two redundant access ways to their property and replace them with a new entrance with gates.
The work was completed the following year - but now they will have to put in another retrospective planning application to try and get the new gates approved.
The Kamanis wanted to build new access routes into their home as visibility was said to be poor from the existing entrances.
The 18th Century Georgian farmhouse, near the footballers' haven of Alderley Edge, was purchased by the Kamanis in 2016
The property boasts six bedrooms with six en suites, a gym, oak-panelled entrance hall, marble fireplaces, a games room, family room and snug, children's playroom, lake, rolling lawns, ring-fenced paddock and a leisure room with a snooker table
The stunning homer was completely refurbished by the previous owners and during its sale was described as meeting 'all the demands of today's discerning purchaser, including a recently-added leisure wing with gym and swimming pool.'
Behind the disputed gates sits a stunning mansion at the end of a long drive and set in acres of manicured gardens (above)
Original plans show a simple style entrance with two pillars, timber gates and a modest stone wall.
But what was built had extra iron railings, appears to be higher than the original plans and has two extra pillars at either side.
A local source said moving away from the original design had caused friction with planning officers and a new application was submitted in February.
Some residents living nearby appear less than impressed with the overbearing design.
In planning documents submitted to the authority earlier this year, Mottram St Andrew's Parish Council said the new gates were too big.
A statement reads: 'The proposed development is situated in the Green Belt and in an area of Special County value and is regarded by the Parish Council as inappropriate development within the Green Belt, as defined by the Development plan.
'The proposed development, by reason of its size, sitting and design would form a visually obtrusive feature which would detract from the rural character and appearance of the area within which it is located.
'The approval of the development would therefore be contrary to Cheshire East Local Plan Policy SD2.'
Council conservation officer Andrew Ramshall said the new design of the gates would not affect the character of the nearby Grade II-listed house but they must be built in approved materials.
He said in documents: 'This application seeks to remove the current railings and gate to this large entrance area and replace them with a more substantial wall and gate still utilising the large entrance area.
'I would consider that this change to the entrance will have no effect upon the character and setting of the listed building.'
Mr Kamani, 55, is one of Britain's richest men, having set up boohoo.com in 2006 alongside businesswoman Carol Kane.
The company said it will investigate one of its suppliers following reports that staff are earning less than the minimum wage amid unsafe working conditions.
Mr Kamani's sons Umar and Adam also co-founded the super successful young women's clothing site Pretty Little Thing, which has annual revenues of £516m.
The boys behind Boohoo: Indian-born billionaire who launched fashion firm from Manchester market stall and his playboy son who persuaded Kylie Jenner to pose in a £15 dress as police probe 'human trafficking and slavery' concerns at factory
The Indian-born founder of fast-fashion company Boohoo grew his Manchester market stall into a £2.6billion business which is currently embroiled in allegations of 'modern slavery and human trafficking'.

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