CHELSEA goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has kicked off a row with neighbours after chopping down huge 40ft trees at his Surrey mansion.
The Blues’ stopper was given the go-ahead to extend his pad near the club’s Cobham training ground – complete with a cinema and games room.
Planners at the local council told him he could chop down two trees to make way for the proposed development but neighbours say he has razed more to the ground – without permission.
They claim the 30-40ft trees are decades old, although not protected by a Tree Preservation Order, and help prevent overlooking on the leafy estate.
The former goalkeeper was initially granted planning permission for a front and rear extension including a ground floor family room, kitchen and breakfast room and cinema.
He also wants to demolish a porch and chimney stack and add dormer windows for a fourth bedroom and games room on the second floor.
Documents filed at Elmbridge Borough Council state that building work started last year but has not yet been completed.
Bettinelli, 32, has now submitted amended plans for tree planting and landscaping to allow for the removal of trees.
In a letter of objection, one resident wrote: “The initial proposal for ‘bush and hedge pruning’ turned into the felling of multiple 30ft trees, decades old.
“This has significantly affected local wildlife (there were documented owls nesting) and privacy/light shading of multiple properties around.
“The new proposal to replace four trees is well short of any remedial measure in my view and should be significantly enhanced.”;;
Another neighbour wrote: “More hedging has been removed to erect the fence.
“This was not done by the neighbouring property.
“And versus the previous plan, there is now less commitment to hedging than before.
“As a reminder, 30-40ft trees were cut down without permission.
“There should be no reduction in commitment shown on the plan versus the one before.”;;
Bettinelli joined in 2021 to boost the Blues’ goalkeeping ranks following the departure of , having been out of contract at Fulham.
He spent a decade at Craven Cottage, making 120 appearances for the Whites and also represented ‘s under-21 team earlier in his career.
The 6ft,4in stopper bought his Cobham pad for £1.5million in September, 2023, before applying for a Grand Designs-style makeover.
In another objection, the local residents’ association said it was “saddened and deeply concerned that the developer, architect and builder have breached the conditions imposed on the allowed application”;;.
They added: “Mature trees provide benefits to humans and wildlife alike, trees also provide wildlife corridors to and from the surrounding green spaces, woods, commons and heathland of Cobham.
“Trees also provide screening to neighbours’ properties and garden amenity spaces which they should be able to continue the enjoyment of using for everyday activity without the perception of overlooking.”;;
Council officials are expected to make a decision on the trees later this month.
Bettinelli’s planning agent was approached for comment.
