James Corden’s Paving Problem

British comedian and TV star James Corden has reportedly landed himself in hot water with his north London neighbours after allegedly paving over a section of his front garden without securing planning permission — all to make extra room for his wheelie bins.

The dispute centres around Corden’s lavish £11.5 million home, nestled in one of north London’s protected conservation zones, where residents claim the former Late Late Show host has replaced a flower bed with paving slabs, altering the property’s natural look and harming the area’s green character.

According to local reports, Corden, 47, carried out the changes before submitting a retrospective planning application, describing the works as “minor repairs” to existing paving. He maintained that the updates were purely intended to create a hard surface for bin storage.

However, several neighbours have pushed back, insisting that the area previously featured gravel and plant beds rather than solid paving. Around 11 square metres of greenery are believed to have been lost in the process — though Corden has reportedly tried to balance things out by planting four new trees and several smaller shrubs.

Local residents and councillors have been quick to criticise the move. Alan Selwyn, a member of a local residents’ association, slammed the decision, saying:

“Removing natural habitat reduces biodiversity in an already limited area, and using industrial materials completely clashes with this heritage setting.”

While Corden insists that recycled materials were used and new trees have been added, critics argue the alterations still undermine local wildlife and detract from the conservation area’s historic charm.

Councillor Tom Simon also expressed his disapproval, stating there was “no valid reason for destroying green space” and urging the council to reject the proposal outright.

For now, Corden’s planning application is still under review, leaving both fans and neighbours watching closely to see whether the celebrity’s paving project will be forced to roll back.