Carson Yeung Faces Neighbour Backlash After His Housekeeper Turns His £7Million London Mansion into a Home for 11 Friends and Family in SW19

A once-prominent Premier League club owner has found himself at the center of a bizarre row with his wealthy London neighbours.

Carson Yeung, former owner of Birmingham City, has effectively handed over his £7million Coombe estate mansion to his Filipino housemaid, who has lived there for nearly two decades — along with an extended entourage of friends and relatives.

The situation has sparked outrage on a postcode where homes routinely sell for more than £14million.

Locals describe the mansion as operating almost like a mini-community, raising questions about planning regulations and the definition of a “family home.”

A Housekeeper Turned Guardian

Concepcion Limson, Yeung’s longtime housekeeper, didn’t just manage the household — she became legal guardian to Yeung’s granddaughter.

According to planning documents, the child had “no contact with her natural parents or the grandparents,” leaving Limson to raise her.

To manage the enormous property and care for the child, Limson invited family members and friends to live with her.

Over time, as many as 11 people were sharing the seven-bedroom house.

She insisted that they acted as a “surrogate family,” providing a safe and supportive environment for the girl.

The HMO Controversy

The unusual living arrangement drew the attention of Kingston-upon-Thames council.

Officials claimed the house was being used as an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), requiring retrospective planning permission.

Limson applied for the licence, citing the practical need for extra support while raising the child.

Her application sparked fury among neighbours, with 38 objections lodged.

Residents warned that the HMO would “undermine the established character of the area,” increase noise, and compromise security.

One described it as “like student accommodation” and expressed concern that unrelated occupants might invite additional friends, changing the feel of the close-knit community.

Council and Planning Inspectorate Decisions

The council refused the retrospective HMO application and issued an enforcement notice.

Limson appealed, but the independent Planning Inspectorate dismissed her final appeal.

Inspector Simon Hand noted that the property had functioned as an HMO since Yeung purchased it in 2007, with occupancy peaking at 11 people in 2013 and remaining high thereafter.

Hand confirmed that Limson was the only occupant present consistently, living with Yeung’s granddaughter, while the rest of the residents were extended family or friends, some of whom had moved to London for university or work.

Residents now have six months to find alternative accommodation, after which the mansion must revert to a single-family home.

Carson Yeung’s Fall From Grace

The ruling adds another unusual chapter to Yeung’s controversial career.

Once a hairdresser turned tycoon, Yeung made his fortune on the Hong Kong stock market before buying Birmingham City in 2009 for £81.5million.

He promised big spending, cheaper tickets, and ambitious expansion into the Chinese market.

Two years later, he was arrested in Hong Kong and eventually jailed for six years for laundering over £55million, with prosecutors linking him to casino gambling and organized crime.

Court documents indicated he had business ties to Cheung Chi-tai, head of one of Hong Kong’s largest Triad gangs.

Yeung resigned from all club roles after his conviction, leaving Birmingham City in turmoil.

Control later passed to Paul Suen, and the Championship club was eventually acquired by US firm Knighthead Capital Management in 2023, with NFL legend Tom Brady taking a minority stake.

Neighbours Speak Out

Local residents say the mansion’s multi-family setup, while well-intentioned, disrupted the peace and character of the exclusive Coombe estate.

“We bought this place for the family feel,” one neighbour said.

“When unrelated people start moving in, it starts to feel like student housing rather than a quiet, private community.”

Others highlighted security concerns, fearing that an HMO with unrelated residents could increase risks for nearby homes.

Despite the controversy, Limson maintained that her occupants were essential workers — nurses, a pharmacist, and a child psychologist — and that the extended household was necessary for raising Yeung’s granddaughter safely.

What Happens Next

With the Planning Inspectorate ruling final, the mansion must return to single-family use.

The decision marks a rare clash between a wealthy absentee owner, a devoted housekeeper-guardian, and a community determined to preserve its character.

While Carson Yeung lives abroad, his London property has remained a symbol of both his family ties and his complicated past — blending extraordinary wealth, legal trouble, and a house that became far more than a home.