A former Adidas managing director is pursuing legal action against property developers after being ordered to demolish or alter his £1.3 million country home over planning permission breaches. The dispute concerns a barn conversion in East Haddon, Northamptonshire, located near Althorp, the family estate of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Edward Nixon, 56, purchased the property in 2020 and engaged developer Barry Howard and his company to complete the renovation. Nixon and his wife claimed they had agreed to pay approximately £700,000 for the developer to finish the house according to plans provided to them. The couple contended that Howard assured them during a video call the construction complied with planning regulations and that local authorities had approved the final structure.

However, about a year later, the local council issued an enforcement notice, citing that the building exceeded the approved dimensions by roughly six feet. As a result, the authorities demanded that the Nixons either demolish or substantially modify the property to meet approval requirements. Despite the notice, the house remains intact.

The Nixons are seeking £900,000 in damages from Howard for what they allege was "fraudulent misrepresentation." In response, Howard, aged 57, has denied the allegations, maintaining that he was unaware of any planning violations during the renovation process.

The case was brought before the Central London County Court, where the Nixons' legal team requested summary judgment. The judge declined this request, granting Howard an adjournment to prepare his defence, with the matter scheduled to resume next month.