MARTIN Freeman has been branded “selfish” after he complained about the noise from nearby schools.
The Sherlock star recently won a year-long battle with planners to put in new windows at his £5 million mansion to block out the din, despite being in a protected area which has strict rules on building appearance.
The Hobbit star snapped up the luxury five-bed pad, in north London, following his split from actress wife Amanda Abbington in 2016.
The planning inspector gave the green light for the new double-glazed windows after visiting the star’s home last month, and there were no submitted objections from neighbours.
Aside from the playground noise, Freeman had also insisted that most of the existing single glazed windows were so wonky from building movement that he couldn’t even open and close them properly.
In a statement, his planning agent said: “The noise is a major problem particularly during term time on weekdays due to the school located directly opposite.
“The new units will reduce noise pollution from the street and school, improving the building’s internal environment.”
But some are unimpressed with the actor’s grievances about noise, with one dubbing him “selfish” and saying he was “overreacting”.
Ex-schoolteacher, Simon Bridge, 70, whose property backs onto one of the schools, fumed: “If neighbours are complaining about schools, I think it’s outrageous.
“The children make a noise, of course, the whistle blows, but come on.
“Go and live somewhere else, that’s my feeling. You’ve got money, go away.
“I’m a great lover of theatre, music and everything and I have nothing against actors whatsoever. But I don’t like people complaining about children, hearing noise, that’s all.”
When asked if he had any problems with the noise himself, he replied: “Not at all. I love it. Because I’m an ex-schoolteacher, I’m used to school.
“To hear children playing and laughing, that’s wonderful.”
Freeman’s mansion is in close proximity to several schools.
Retiree Sam De Silva has lived in a block of flats opposite the junior school for 12 years and has no complaints.
He said: “Well, as far as I’m concerned, the only issue with me is finding a place to park my car. I haven’t come across any noise issues, you know.”
When asked about his thoughts on grumblings about noise, he said: “I think it’s a bit selfish , I guess.
“There’s not a lot you can do, you know. I think he’s overreacting.
“I’ve been here for 12 years, my dad lived here prior to me. He’s never complained.
“Honestly, it’s a bit silly. These schools didn’t crop up, you know?
“My daughter goes to school down the road and I heard Taylor Swift bought a house down that lane.
“So if she can buy a house adjacent to a primary school, why the hell should we be complaining?”
Planning battle
Officials at his local council failed to make a decision on time so the Sherlock star appealed to a Government planning inspector who gave the go-ahead.
The council later said they would have refused to grant planning permission as the new windows would harm the designated conservation area.
Freeman’s planning agent said: “To all practical intents and purposes, the replacement windows would retain the appearance of the original single glazed windows and the appearance of the appeal property would be preserved.”
They said in a statement that planning officers wanted to negotiate on the application to a point where it could be approved but Freeman did not want to make changes.
A local caretaker, who didn’t want to be named, has worked in the area for nearly 30 years and said: “It’s only noisy when the kids are going in in the morning and coming out at night. But that’s where the house is isn’t it?
“What are you going to do? There’s a school there, a school there, a school there.
“The thing is, right opposite his house is the playground. So when I go past sometimes, the kids are in the playground running.
“But what’s that? Ten minutes – then it’s done.
“I don’t see him about much, he’s always away working. If he was here every day, I’d understand it.”
Other residents said the sound of children was a “joyful noise” and that they “wouldn’t have any complaints”.
The Office star’s Arts and Crafts-style pad boasts a basement gym, wine cellar and summerhouse and dates back to 1883 but is not listed.
He bought the massive mansion after cashing with with Hollywood movies Love Actually, Black Panther, Captain America: Civil War.
He’s currently appearing onstage in The Fifth Step in London’s West End.
The Sun has reached out to Freeman’s reps for comment.