An Australian fashion entrepreneur behind a luxury footwear label worn by global celebrities including Sabrina Carpenter, Madonna, and Gigi Hadid has successfully overturned a planning refusal for a major renovation of her multi-million pound Belgravia townhouse. The proposed transformation includes an outdoor swimming pool and extensive remodeling of the historic property.
Planning Dispute Over Exclusive London Property
Bronte Mance, the 33-year-old co-founder of cult footwear brand Naked Wolfe, faced opposition from Westminster Council when she sought permission to revamp her £5 million Georgian maisonette in one of London's most prestigious postcodes. Council planners initially branded the proposed works as 'excessive' and refused the application, citing concerns about creating an oversized single dwelling.
Controversial Transformation Plans
The ambitious renovation scheme involved merging Mance's four-storey Georgian maisonette with a separate basement flat to create a sprawling family residence. Additional proposed works included a larger rear conservatory, replacement windows, comprehensive landscaping, and the installation of an outdoor swimming pool in the garden area.
The swimming pool proposal proved particularly contentious, with one anonymous neighbour objecting that it would disrupt the peaceful character of what they described as a rare 'green oasis' in central London. The objector expressed concerns about increased noise levels from pool use, mechanical pump sounds, and potential social gatherings associated with the facility.
Council's Initial Refusal
Westminster Council refused the application on several grounds, arguing that the scheme would eliminate a perfectly usable separate flat and create an excessively large home measuring approximately 247 square metres. Planning officials determined that absorbing the lower-ground flat would cause unnecessary loss of residential accommodation in the area.
In their refusal notice, council planners stated: 'The proposed amalgamation would result in a single dwelling, which would be excessively sized.' This decision prompted Mance to challenge the ruling through the independent Planning Inspectorate.
Successful Appeal Overturns Council Decision
Planning Inspector Ann Veevers recently ruled in Mance's favour, granting permission for the luxury renovation to proceed. The inspector found that Westminster Council had been wrong to refuse both the swimming pool installation and the property amalgamation.
Veevers stated she had 'no reason' to reject the swimming pool proposal and determined that restoring the building closer to its original historic layout supported the case for merging the basement and maisonette. The inspector concluded: 'As a single residential property, [the house] would be large, but, at three bedrooms, not unreasonably so.'
Heritage and Conservation Considerations
The planning inspector also found that the proposed works would preserve both the Grade II-listed building and the character and appearance of the wider Belgravia Conservation Area. This assessment proved crucial in tipping the balance in favour of the development proceeding.
Background of the Naked Wolfe Founder
Bronte Mance co-founded Naked Wolfe with her brothers Cody and Cooper in Hong Kong in 2017. The luxury footwear brand has since become a celebrity favourite, with its chunky platform boots worn by numerous high-profile figures including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Hailey Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Kourtney Kardashian.
The company operates a flagship store in Mayfair where their distinctive footwear sells for up to £600 per pair. Naked Wolfe products are also stocked by prestigious retailers including Selfridges and Harrods, demonstrating the brand's significant market presence.
Rapid Business Growth and Recognition
Naked Wolfe has experienced remarkable growth since its launch, capitalizing on social media trends and building a substantial following among Generation Z consumers. The Mance siblings have been featured in Forbes' annual 30 Under 30 list, recognizing their entrepreneurial achievements.
Speaking about the company's expansion, Mance previously noted that Naked Wolfe had seen 'nothing but exponential growth' that exceeded initial expectations. The brand's website highlights its celebrity following and cult status within fashion circles.
Forbes' 2022 profile of the company noted that in their first year of operation, celebrities including Ariana Grande and the Hadid sisters had worn their products. The publication reported that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the brand was selling approximately $80 million worth of shoes globally.
The successful planning appeal means Bronte Mance can now proceed with transforming her Belgravia property into a luxurious family home complete with outdoor swimming pool and expanded living spaces. Neither Mance nor Westminster City Council provided additional comment following the planning inspector's decision.
