A fashion boss behind a label adored by Sabrina Carpenter, Madonna and Gigi Hadid has beaten jobsworth planners who tried to block a makeover of her plush Belgravia townhouse - complete with an outdoor pool.
Bronte Mance - the Australian-born co-founder of cult luxury footwear brand Naked Wolfe - was refused permission to revamp her £5million home in one of London's most exclusive postcodes after Westminster Council branded the plans 'excessive'.
The high-flying entrepreneur, 33, whose brand has also been worn by Hailey Bieber, Ariana Grande and Kourtney Kardashian, wanted to merge her four-storey Georgian maisonette with a separate basement flat to create one sprawling family home.
Her proposed transformation also included a larger rear conservatory, replacement windows, landscaping works and an outdoor swimming pool in the garden.
The pool plan however sparked fury from a neighbour who claimed it would shatter the peace of the historic enclave and ruin what they described as a rare 'green oasis' in the heart of London.
The anonymous objector said: 'While we appreciate the applicant's wish to improve their home, we have real concerns about the impact this development would have on the surrounding residential environment.
'The gardens in this part of Belgravia are close together, and we currently enjoy a quiet, peaceful character.
'They provide a valuable green oasis for residents to relax and enjoy tranquillity in the heart of the city - which is a unique feature of this historic area.
'Introducing a swimming pool in such close proximity to neighbouring gardens would inevitably increase noise levels, both from general pool use, pump sounds and any associated gatherings.
'This would significantly alter the quiet enjoyment currently experienced by neighbours.'
Westminster Council refused the application, arguing the scheme would wipe out a perfectly usable separate flat and create an oversized home of about 247 square metres.
It ruled that swallowing up the lower-ground flat would cause the unnecessary loss of a home.
Refusing permission, the council concluded: 'The proposed amalgamation would result in a single dwelling, which would be excessively sized.'
Ms Mance co-founded Naked Wolfe with her brothers Cody and Cooper in Hong Kong in 2017.
The luxury brand has a flagship store in Mayfair where its chunky platform boots - as worn by the likes of Beyonce, Rihanna and Jenny Ortega - sell for up £600.
Ms Mance challenged the council's refusal to grant planning permission, taking her case to the independent Planning Inspectorate.
She was told this month that she had won her appeal, meaning she can now press ahead with the luxury revamp of the townhouse.
Planning Inspector Ann Veevers said she had 'no reason' to turn down the swimming pool plan and said that the council was wrong to stop her from merging the basement and maisonette.
She concluded: 'As a single residential property, [the house] would be large, but, at three bedrooms, not unreasonably so.'
Ms Veevers ruled that restoring the building closer to its original historic layout tipped the balance in Ms Mance's favour.
The inspector also found the proposal would preserve both the Grade II-listed building and the character and appearance of the wider Belgravia Conservation Area.
Naked Wolfe has become one of the most recognisable names in luxury footwear since its launch in 2017. It has ridden the social media boom and has built a cult following among Gen Z shoppers.
Ms Mance and her siblings have appeared in Forbes' annual 30 Under 30 and opened a 7,000 square foot flagship store on New Bond Street.
Its footwear is also stocked by heavyweight retailers including Selfridges and Harrods.
Speaking previously about the company's rapid growth, Ms Mance said Naked Wolfe had seen 'nothing but exponential growth' and 'far beyond what any of us could have hoped for when we first began making shoe samples.'
The company's website brags: 'Having garnered an early cult-like following in the millions and a status among the most sought celebrities, the momentum of the brand has been constant.
'The brand has rapidly become a celebrity staple. Celebrities such as Madonna, Hailey Bieber, Gigi & Bella Hadid, Rosalia, Sabrina Carpenter and many more are all reputable wearers of the brand.'
Forbes' 30 under 30 list of trailblazing young entrepreneurs said in 2022: 'In the first year, Ariana Grande, Gigi and Bella Hadid all rocked the brand.
'Just before Covid, they were selling $80 million of shoes globally. Their aim: to become a famed family fashion business like Gucci or Prada.'
Ms Mance and Westminster City Council were approached for comment.
