Sonam Kapoor & Anand Ahuja’s 5 Flats At Notting Hill Cause Dispute Among Locals; Here’s Why

Actress Sonam Kapoor and her husband, Anand Ahuja , who frequently split their time between India and the UK, are reportedly facing growing resistance from residents in London’s upscale Notting Hill area over the redevelopment of their luxury property. The couple, known for owning homes in Mumbai, Delhi, and London, have often offered social media glimpses of their life in the British capital. However, according to a report by the Daily Mail, their lavish Notting Hill residence has now become the subject of an ongoing neighbourhood dispute. Sonam Kapoor’s London Property As per the report , Sonam and Anand acquired the nearly 200-year-old mansion in 2023 for an estimated £21 million (around ₹270 crore). Following the purchase, they reportedly submitted extensive renovation plans aimed at completely redesigning the interiors while preserving the building’s historic external façade. The proposed redevelopment allegedly includes several ultra-luxury additions, such as a basement swimming pool and even an underground basketball court, turning the residence into a massive high-end private estate beneath the preserved heritage structure. The report further reported that the plans became entangled in a lengthy planning battle lasting close to three years, with nearby residents reportedly raising objections and appeals during the process. Despite the pushback, the redevelopment proposal was eventually approved earlier this month. The controversy appears to have intensified further after reports emerged that a company associated with the couple had also purchased five flats in a neighbouring residential property named Hillcrest for approximately £4 million (around ₹51 crore). According to some residents quoted in the report, concerns were raised that the apartments might eventually function as accommodation for staff employed at the mansion, leading to additional tensions within the neighbourhood. Sonam Kapoor & Anand Ahuja vs Locals Residents quoted in the Daily Mail report claimed they felt uneasy publicly opposing the redevelopment plans due to the wealth and influence associated with Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja. One homeowner told the publication, “We’re being made to feel afraid of speaking out just because they’re powerful. We’ve formed a sense of community here and that’s changing because some billionaires want to make our home another playground.” The resident further alleged that tensions within the neighbourhood had increased amid discussions surrounding the neighbouring flats linked to the couple. “That will change even more if they let people in from what they call ‘social housing’. It’s a weird threat. The whole thing stinks. There’s nobody even living in some of the flats now. Some are being done up. But behind the scenes, they have a say on what happens here. How is that acceptable?” the resident added. According to the report, some residents were allegedly informed during a private meeting that if objections to the redevelopment continued, the neighbouring flats could potentially be opened up for ‘social housing.’ Another resident reportedly claimed that several homeowners were worried about possible legal consequences if they continued speaking publicly to the media regarding the issue. However, the opposition was not unanimous within the neighbourhood. One resident reportedly dismissed the controversy as ‘a storm in a teacup,’ suggesting that disagreements over redevelopment projects are fairly common in affluent parts of London and are part of city life. Meanwhile, a representative speaking on behalf of the couple clarified to the publication that Sonam Kapoor had no direct involvement in the company that purchased the neighbouring flats. The spokesperson also maintained that the apartments were acquired strictly as investment properties and not for the purposes being speculated about by residents. The report further claimed that Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja are believed to have already invested nearly £4.7 million (approximately ₹60 crore) into the ongoing renovation and redevelopment of their sprawling Notting Hill mansion. Apart from the newly redeveloped luxury residence, the couple reportedly also own another apartment and a studio space in the upscale London neighbourhood. Their international property portfolio additionally includes homes in Mumbai and Delhi, reflecting the couple’s lifestyle split between India and the UK.