Planning hitch for Seinfeld's palace

Jerry Seinfeld's plans for a multi-million dollar hideaway estate have run into problems with town planners.

The comedian brought a $32million estate from Billy Joel in The Hamptons, an upmarket enclave in New York's Long Island, two years ago.

Local inspectors say he has done so much work on the property that only 15 per cent of the original house remains - even though he was only supposed to replace some rotting wood.

Only the original library and dining room are still in place, and Seinfeld is planning seven bedrooms, a nursery, a playroom, a dressing room, a den and a study.

But inspector Tom Preiato told the East Hampton Star that he doesn't have the right paperwork. "He needs permits up the ying-yang," he said.

However, the comic's spokesman insisted he has done nothing wrong.

Aside from the main house, the ten-acre estate also includes a three-bedroom house for the live-in servants, a five-bedroom cottage and a 22-car garage to house some of Seinfeld's prize collection of motors.

Published: 22 Nov 2002