George Michael superfan who bought late singer’s £19m mansion in row over basement plans

The man who paid £19m to buy George Michael’s property in Highgate for £19 million has caused anger among local residents for plans to renovate the property and add a basement.

Stephen Cameron, who made his fortune in healthcare communications, and wife Clare Harrison are both big fans of the Careless Whisper singer and expressed their delight at initially landing the coveted mansion.

However, plans to replace the railings at the front of the seven-bedroom house and rebuild a section of the wall has caused members of the Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee (HCAAC) to place an objection.

The HCAAC are also concerned that adding a large basement under the front garden could cause structural issues for neighbouring houses.

The group cited structural issues during the renovation of Witanhurst Mansion, which is owned by Russian oligarch Andrei Guryev, and is the second largest private home in London after Buckingham Palace, as reasons for their concerns with the latest project.

A letter of objection to Camden Council from HCAAC was quoted by The Sun as saying: “Given that the owners of some properties in The Grove believe that problems have arisen as a result of the basement works at Witanhurst, we would urge the Council to instruct an independent audit of the proposals.”

It added: “We are very concerned that what is being proposed in respect of the front of the property adversely affects the harmony and the setting of the important listed buildings in the row on The Grove and does not enhance the character and appearance of the Highgate Conservation Area.”

Some of the previous owners of the £19 million mansion include: Yehudi Menuhin, Sting and Anny Lennox with the property in recent years being rented to various celebrities for £15,000 per week.

Stephen Cameron, who has a reported fortune of £171 million and regularly appears on The Sunday Times rich list, told MailOnline in 2020 after purchasing the property: “I know the area really well and have been living in this part of North London for several years. It’s a beautiful house to live in and the whole family is happy.”