The wife of Dame Edna Everage star Barry Humphries has claimed her husband was “almost killed” by falling bricks caused by structural damage as a result of a basement dig.

Lizzie Spender made the statement as councillors discussed a bid to build another basement next to their Greencroft Gardens home in West Hampstead.

The controversial application was approved by a majority decision on Thursday night.

Ms Spender, who was at the meeting with her husband, said another basement excavation in the same street has caused cracks in their property.

She told politicians that part of the ceiling in her upstairs sitting room had come loose.

Ms Spender said: “One square metre section came crashing down, nearly killing my husband who was standing there just a minute before.”

And she rallied against Camden Council for backing basement projects.

Ms Spender, whose home dates back to 1899, told the council’s development control committee: “I’ve always believed Camden to be a sensible, even-handed borough committed to conservation.

“I’ve not found that to be the case in these circumstances.

“I am sorry to say it, but things seem to be weighed strongly in favour of the developers.”

She said Victorian buildings were not built to withstand the “assault” caused by basement developments.

Applicant Spencer Garcia said the bid was “not for profit”.

He pledged to minimise disruption to neighbours and said: “We’re not developers, we want to live here.

“We want to make our home here with our family.”

My Garcia said it would provide himself and his wife with a two-bedroom home as they prepare to start a family.

He vowed to carry out works “to the highest standard”.