Mark Zuckerberg has angered his Palo Alto, California, neighbours after snapping up 11 houses in their neighbourhood in 14 years

According to the publication, "five" homes in Crescent Park - which is home to business ex ecutives, lawyers and Stanford professors - have been turned into a "compound" that features a "main house" for him, his wife, Priscilla Chan, and their three daughters, Maxima, August and Aurelia.

Also, the expansive property boasts "guest homes, lush gardens, a nearby pickleball court and a pool that can be covered with a hydrofloor".

Mr. Zuckerberg also created a 7,000 square foot "bat cave" - the nickname neighbours have called his basements - underneath the compound, and its eight-year construction caused the streets to be pilled with equipment and generate loud noise.

As well as loud noise, the tech tycoon has brought "intense levels" of security to Crescent Park, be it cameras positioned at his 11 homes that have " views of his neighbours'" properties, The New York Times claims.

Also, the publication reports that his private security guards monitor the neighbourhood in cars, and "filming some visitors and asking others what they are doing as they walk on public sidewalks".

The New York Times' investigation into Mr. Zuckerberg's expansion in Crescent Park was unearthed by the publication speaking to nine neighbours - seven of which did not want to be publicly named for "fear of retribution".

A "review of building permits, affidavits, certificates of formation of limited liability companies, home deeds, recordings of local commission meetings and emails between neighbours and city officials" also assisted the investigation.

Michael Kieschnick, a cellular phone company co-founder and a green energy advocate, has a home on Hamilton Avenue, which is surrounded on three sides by a property owned by Mr. Zuckerberg.

He said: "No neighbourhood wants to be occupied, but that's exactly what they've done. They've occupied our neighbourhood."

Mr. Kieschnick says his neighbours' anger extends to the city of Palo Alto for approving 56 permits for Mr. Zuckerberg's properties - allowing him to slowly build his compound, despite a whole application to construct it being scrapped in 2016.

Also, Mr. Kieschnick alleged the police department scattered signs that created tow-away zones on a public road for five hours - only for him to later learn it was for a garden barbecue hosted by the Facebook founder.

Mr. Kieschnick added: "Billionaires everywhere are used to just making their own rules - Zuckerberg and Chan are not unique, except that they're our neighbours, but it's a mystery why the city has been so feckless."

However, Mr. Zuckerberg's staff have changed their ways, with The New York Times reporting that the security guards sit in "quiet electric vehicles".

It is claimed his staff send out "bottles of sparkling wine, chocolates and Krispy Kreme doughnuts" to neighbours to apologise for noise and disruption.

A representative for the couple told People: "Mark, Priscilla and their children have made Palo Alto their home for more than a decade.

"They value being members of the community and have taken a number of steps above and beyond any local requirements to avoid disruption in the neighbourhood."