ONE of the world’s richest men has infuriated neighbours in a leafy street with plans for a nine-bedroom mansion complete with cinema, swimming pool and prayer room.

Subaskaran Allirajah owns what was once the home of West Ham owner David Sullivan in Stradbroke Drive, Chigwell, but he wants to demolish it and construct the mansion in its place.

The telecoms tycoon, who heads the Lycatel group, has attracted a wave of opposition to his plan from neighbours concerned that the new house would be completely out of scale with the rest of the homes in the street.

Eighty of them have signed a petition demanding that the plan is thrown out when it comes before Epping Forest District Council on Wednesday (May 30).

Mandy Spencer, 48, of Stradbroke Drive, said: “It’s a ridiculous proposal.

“He keeps making applications for a four storey house, which would be horrible.

“The road is very narrow and the work will take years.

“Where are they going to park – there’s not enough room.”

Her neighbour Stanley Beavis, 89, said: “Our thoughts are it’s much too big and ugly.

“It doesn’t go in with the rest of the area.”

Originally Mr Allirajah wanted a 14 bedroom house with an underground car park, beauty parlour, sauna and massage rooms on the site.

Those plans were rejected by the council two years ago, but council officers have recommended that the latest plans are approved.

A 40-year-old Sri Lankan, Mr Allirajah owns a 90 per cent stake in the Lycatel group which recorded sales of £414 million in 2010 and has eight million customers.

His agent, John Moss, said: “I don’t think the house is too big for the site.

“Historically, it was three properties. If you put three on it, you would almost certainly end up with more development on the site.”

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