March 20, 2009 11:57

U2's The Edge in property dispute with neighbours

He wants to build onto land in Malibu

Photo Gallery: U2

U2 guitarist The Edge has angered neighbours over his building plans in Malibu, it has emerged.

The rock veteran plans to build five homes across 1,000 acres of prime real estate, having bought two parcels of land at Latigo Canyon and Serra Retreat in 2006.

Neighbour Jim Smith, a building contractor, told the Los Angeles Times: "Two years ago he pulled up outside my house and mentioned he was going to be my new neighbour. He was friendly and charismatic. I was happy knowing he was buying the land, as I assumed he would be sensitive to the environment – though that’s not the case."

"When I expressed my concerns about the development, he told me he was sympathetic to my concerns," Smith said this week. "He's done nothing. He's not walking the walk of an environmentalist."

Meanwhile, other local residents say they are annoyed about their view being impeded, and the risk of water run-off and land erosion.