Luxury Pool Plans Approved in Putney Conservation Area

Garden scheme gets go-ahead despite neighbour opposition

A visualisation submitted with the application of the pool house and pool

November 17, 2023

Plans have been approved for an L-shaped pool house and 11m (36ft) swimming pool in the garden of a neo-Georgian house near Putney Common, despite objections from a neighbour.

Wandsworth planners have given the go-ahead for the development in Longwood Drive, which also includes an outdoor kitchen and plant room, although it sits within the Westmead Conservation Area.

Nic Howard, of Surrey-based garden design company 'We Love Plants', said in the planning application on behalf of Peter and Samatha Mackey that "the aim is to create a practical and visually pleasing outdoor living space that blends seamlessly with the surrounding conservation area."

The 3.48m (11ft 5ins) pool house would be made of oak and featuring weather boarding, with a pitched roof matching the house. "We have taken great care to integrate the pool and building into the garden's layout without disrupting the adjacent tree from the neighbouring property. Creating a building within a conservation area requires a delicate balance of skill and respect for heritage. Our top priority is preserving the historic importance of the area," Mr Howard added.

But a report prepared for Wandsworth planners by council case officer Samuel Bradley says one comment received following a consultation with the property's neighbours issued a string of objections to the scheme.

The list of more than 20 points objecting to the application included:

• If permitted, the proposed development would set a precedent for similar developments
in the local area;
• The proposed development would be detrimental to the character of the Westmead
Conservation Area;
• The proposed development would result in overdevelopment of the rear garden;
• The proposed development would facilitate large scale, frequent entertaining of crowds and large gatherings;
• The proposed pool house is out of keeping with the character of the original
dwellinghouse;
• The proposed development would be visible from the street;
• The outlook from the adjacent property, No.16 Westmead, would be obstructed;
• Sunlight/daylight to the rear garden of the adjacent property, No.16 Westmead, would be obstructed.

Council officer Mr Bradley said in his report that during the assessment of the proposal, the initial plans were amended to reduce the pool house height by 0.5m (1ft 8ins).

He said the plans submitted, although adjacent to the shared boundary with the property at 16 Westmead Road, would not "appear incongruous or visually intrusive to an unacceptable degree".

He concluded: "It would not appear incongruous in the context of its setting and would be largely concealed from the public realm so as to cause no harm to the special character and appearance of the Westmead Conservation Area."

Mr Bradley also felt the pool was not likely to result in unacceptable levels of noise for a residential amenity space. He added that the replacement of three fruit trees with five pear trees would be welcomed.

In his report recently submitted to Wandsworth Council, Mr Bradley took a delegated officer's decision to give the plans the go-ahead.