Adolescence star Ashley Walters has won a battle to build a swimming pool and gym at his £1m family home despite a slew of objections from neighbours.
The actor, who plays DI Luke Bascombe in the hit Netflix show, angered locals when he asked for permission to introduce the single storey detached outbuilding to his house in Herne Bay, Kent.
Those nearby objected on multiple grounds including that the development – complete with a gym, games room, pool and changing facilities – would be out of character for the area.
But the positive decision by planners at Kent County Council marked the second time Mr Walters was granted approval for a controversial development in the area.
A two year long battle to build a two-storey front and rear extension and a single-storey rear extension with balcony saw him given the green light in August last year.
In approving the latest decision, council planners wrote: ‘The proposal is considered to be acceptable in terms of mass and scale in relation to the overall size of the plot.
‘The outbuilding will be finished under a flat roofed design and in a mixture of slatted cladding and render. Given its position to the rear of the property it would not be visible form public vantage points so would have a neutral impact on the streetscene and landscape.
The actor, who plays DI Luke Bascombe in the hit Netflix show, angered locals when he asked for permission to introduce the single storey detached outbuilding to his house in Herne Bay, Kent. Pictured: Ashley Walters in Adolescence
The positive decision by planners at Kent County Council marked the second time Mr Walters was granted approval for a controversial development in the area. Pictured: A general view of the home of Ashley Walters
A two year long battle to build a two-storey front and rear extension and a single-storey rear extension with balcony saw him given the green light in August last year
‘Given the above, the proposed development would have sufficient regard for the context and character of the site.’
After a site notice was placed in the area and neighbouring properties were informed, an objection was raised as well as a few concerns.
They argued there were no buildings of that size and type at the rear of the properties, it was out of character with the rural area, and there was access to the rear, representing an unreasonable breach.
But in response, planning officials said: ‘The outbuilding will be positioned to the rear of the plot which results in the development being in excess of 50m from any neighbouring property.
‘As such, given its single-storey nature it is considered that there would be no unacceptable overlooking, overbearing impact, sense of enclosure or loss of light as a result of the development.’
Mr Walters, 42, previously said he would consider moving away if he could not secure permission for extending his home.
He said: ‘It is highly likely if we cannot get it the way we want to, we will have to move out of this part of Kent.
‘We would just have to find somewhere else locally that suits our needs.’
Mr Walters, 42, previously said he would consider moving away if he could not secure permission for extending his home
After a site notice was placed in the area and neighbouring properties were informed, an objection was raised as well as a few concerns
Mr Walters stressed he was a ‘big fan’ of the area, and his children were settled in school, so he did not intend to move his family back to London.
Speaking of his extension plans, he added: ‘It’s about making it slightly bigger in height because it’s a bungalow conversion.
‘The top floor is essentially in the roof, which means you’re kind of ducking, and as the kids grow they’ll be banging heads on the ceiling.
‘So we are just trying to make that a bit higher.’
