District planners have approved a council chief’s bid to build a bigger swimming pool in the Cotswold farmhouse. Councillor Lisa Spivey (LD, The Ampneys and Hampton) has been granted permission by Cotswold District Council to relocate and increase the size of the swimming pool at Old Farm House Preston near Cirencester.
The proposals were sent to be considered by the planning and licensing committee on June 14 as Cllr Spivey serves on the authority. She is the communities and public safety cabinet member and also the deputy group leader of the Liberal Democrats at Gloucestershire County Council.
Officers recommended approving the proposed works which include the formation of a swimming pool which would be 10.25 metres in length, 4.5 metres in width and 1.2 metres in depth with a natural stone paved surround level with the existing garden. The proposed works would be set away from the grade II listed building, so as not to interfere with the structural loading of the walls.
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Officers considered that the proposed works would not harm the significance of the listed building. And Councillor David Fowles (C, Coln Valley) said: “If it wasn’t for the fact it was one of our colleagues it would have been acceptable, yeah? It’s just to make sure we’ve gone through a process.”
Councillor Andrew Maclean (G, The Rissingtons) asked if the power supply would need to be upgraded. But Officers said that would not be a “material planning consideration”.
Councillor Mark Harris (LD, Abbey) proposed accepting the officer’s recommendation to approve the plans and this was seconded by Cllr Fowles. The committee voted unanimously to approve the proposals.
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