Stella eyes church for new studio

Stella McCartney is planning to demolish a 100-year-old church near her home in Notting Hill and turn it into a fashion studio.

The 30-year-old designer and daughter of Sir Paul McCartney wants to spend about £1 million on the building near Portobello Road, to act as a London base for her work as fashion designer for Gucci.

She has submitted plans to Kensington and Chelsea council for permission to bulldoze the existing building and replace it with a modern studio complete with a luxury flat above. Ms McCartney is said to have financial support from her father to do the work.

The building, known as Peake House, was once a chapel but has also been used as hostel for the homeless. Ms McCartney bought the property last October for about £1 million. Kensington and Chelsea Council said it had received a number of objections from residents and would be talking to Ms McCartney about her plans.

A spokesman said: "A planning application has been submitted and we are currently looking at objections."

Resident Amber Laine said: "The building has great character and this would be lost if it was pulled down."

Last month the designer angered neighbours when she had a shower cubicle built on the roof of her £4 million west London home. Investigations are under way by council officials to see if Ms McCartney had planning permission. If she has not, she will be forced to remove it.