Ed Miliband's Wife Objects to London Flats Near Home

Justine Thornton, the wife of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, has objected to plans for a new five-storey block of flats near their £3 million home in Dartmouth Park, North London, citing concerns that the proposed design is "too tall, too bulky and too dense" and out of keeping with the area's Victorian architectural style. Despite her opposition to the specific design, Thornton expressed no objection to the principle of redevelopment or the need for more housing, highlighting tensions given Ed Miliband's public commitment to tackling "blockers" and "obstructionists" to green energy and housing developments. Actor Benedict Cumberbatch and other local residents have also voiced concerns about the development's impact on privacy and the neighborhood's aesthetic, fearing it may set a precedent for further dense construction. The developers argue their plans align with Labour's updated planning framework that favors approving higher-density housing on brownfield sites unless substantial harm is demonstrated. This local opposition contrasts with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s agenda to build 1.5 million new homes and his vocal criticism of NIMBYism, positioning him as a "YIMBY" (Yes In My Backyard). The controversy underscores the challenges the government faces in balancing ambitious housing goals with local residents' concerns, even within its own political circles.