Former PM David Cameron has won a six-year battle for a swimming pool after neighbours accused him of creating a ‘tacky Benidorm’ resort in his garden.
The Tory politician, now a member of the House of Lords, first submitted plans back in 2020 so he could take a dip in the garden of his sprawling Cotswolds home.
Lord Cameron withdrew the original scheme after neighbours feared the posh village could be turned into a holiday resort ‘like Benidorm’, but revived the bid in December last year.
Despite one neighbour again complaining of the potential for ‘rowdy’ pool parties, planners approved the scheme yesterday.
Council officials said they considered the neighbour’s concerns but could not ‘assume unreasonable behaviour’ under planning laws.
Lord and Lady Cameron are part of what was once known as the ‘Chipping Norton set’, featuring the likes of Jeremy Clarkson, Elisabeth Murdoch, and Rebekah Brooks, who all live in or around the town.
They originally bought the detached family home in 2001 for £788,000. According to RightMove, the home is currently worth up to £1.8m.
Locals feared the addition of a pool to his cottage in the Oxfordshire village, could mean more extravagant parties being hosted there.
Planning official Emile Baldauf-Clark said in the decision notice: ‘One third party objection comment has been received, raising concerns that the proposed swimming pool is unnecessary in a quiet rural village and would lead to unacceptable noise and disturbance from potential pool parties, impacting neighbours’ ability to enjoy their gardens peacefully.
Former PM David Cameron has won a six-year battle for a swimming pool after neighbours accused him of creating a ‘tacky Benidorm’ resort in his garden
Despite one neighbour complaining of the potential for ‘rowdy’ pool parties, planners approved the scheme at the Oxfordshire home
A proposed drawing of the swimming pool which was submitted to the council for approval
‘The objector also expresses a general concern regarding neighbourliness and the potential for increased disruption arising from the development.’
But Ms Baldauf-Clark said the amended scheme was acceptable and added: ‘While the introduction of a swimming pool may lead to a marginal increase in activity within the garden, the pool is positioned a substantial distance from neighbouring dwellings and is contained within a large semi-rural/residential plot.
‘Given this level of separation, the presence of established landscaping, and the domestic nature of the proposal, any additional noise is expected to be low level, infrequent and typical of an established residential use. It would not be at a level that would materially harm the quiet enjoyment of neighbouring properties.
‘The concerns raised regarding potential noise from gatherings have been considered, however the planning system cannot assume unreasonable behaviour.
‘The proposal does not introduce an intensity of use that would be expected to cause demonstrable harm to residential amenity.’
Cameron’s new pool will measure 13.7 x 4 metres with a depth of 1.6 metres. The application also included two extensions to the home that were also passed.
In a previous complaint over Cameron’s pool plans to West Oxfordshire District Council back in 2020, one neighbour said: ‘As a local I feel I must object to this plan.
‘Swimming pools are totally out of keeping with the local area.
Locals feared the addition of a pool to his Oxfordshire cottage could mean more extravagant parties being hosted there
‘This plan will cause noise from machinery to heat and filter the pool, light pollution, and most importantly, noise pollution from rowdy pool parties going on into the night.
‘Why can’t people just enjoy the character and charm of the Cotswolds without trying to turn their gardens into some kind of tacky Benidorm resort?’
But in a design and access statement to support the latest plan, Cameron’s representatives wrote: ‘Reflecting on the 2020 proposal, the design and siting has been carefully considered so that the pool is part and parcel of the house and its gardens, thereby not encroaching into the wider landscape.
‘The swimming pool is a minimalist and functional design. It will have a small stone surround but otherwise the surrounding lawn will remain unchanged.
‘The nature of a swimming pool is that it is embedded into the ground; therefore, there will be no physical or appreciable presence of the swimming pool from outside of the property curtilage.
‘The only minor visible change will be the provision of a small retaining wall and steps which would be wholly in keeping with the existing retaining wall closer to the dwelling.
‘Beyond the immediate surrounds of the pool, the garden is enclosed/screened by tree belts and existing hedgerows.
‘The premise behind the proposals is simply that the applicants wish to enhance the enjoyment of the dwelling of their home, undertaking the works in a sensitive and minimalist manner.
‘The intention is to provide a provide a swimming pool whilst respecting the local area and character and also their neighbours’ privacy and amenity
‘For the reasons set out above we consider that the proposed extension and swimming pool have been carefully considered and designed to respect the constraints of the site.
‘They would provide owners of the property with the additional space and facilities they require whilst preserving the historic value of the site and not harming the National Landscape or amenity of neighbours.’
The council approved applications for a 1.5 storey extension and a single storey side extension.
