Fury as Sir Ronnie digs large hole for himself

Sir Ronnie Cohen, the multi-millionaire City financier and Labour donor, has become the focus of much anger in Notting Hill Gate, where he has a £15m home and where, to the annoyance of many of his neighbours, including the supermodel Laura Bailey, he is constructing a 50 metre underground swimming pool. Initially the locals were understanding about the building work, but the constant noise has worn down their patience. Says one: "It has been a nightmare for us. It's just so loud. These houses are really old and the noise echoes all the way through."

The addition of the underground pool, which has necessitated hundreds of tons of earth being excavated and has led to heavy traffic from builders' vehicles, muddy roads and dust clouds which have settled on residents' cars and the white stucco walls of surrounding mansions.

Mindful of the distress he is causing, Sir Ronnie, 62, who is reputed to have amassed a £260million fortune with Apax, Europe's first and biggest venture capital company, has put his hand in his pockets, offering to re-house those neighbours who are most affected at his own expense. According to the Daily Telegraph, Laura Bailey declined the offer, but Bella Pollen, the former fashion designer, has said yes.

But even this has not placated everyone. "Ronnie is doing his very best," said another neighbour, "but he is digging a very large hole and that makes a lot of noise. Being nice unfortunately doesn't stop the noise."