Architecture News & Insights

5 September 2022

Do you need planning permission for a swimming pool?

A swimming pool can be a wonderful addition to any home, adding relaxation and luxury while increasing the value of your property. But do you need planning permission to build a residential swimming pool?

Whether or not you need planning permission for your swimming pool will factor into the cost, design and lead time of the project, so it’s important to find this out before you get started on the process. This will help you to make sure that the pool of your dreams is viable, and highlight any issues that you may need to avoid.

In this article, we’ll take a look at a few different types of private swimming pools and the planning application requirements of each, giving you a better idea of what to expect for your own project.

Do indoor swimming pools need planning permission?

Planning permission for indoor pools is usually not necessary in the UK. However, as with all construction projects, there’s no black-and-white answer, and each case must be reviewed individually.

Here are some different types of indoor swimming pools and their planning permission requirements.

Pools in external buildings

Swimming pools housed in an external building, often known as a pool hall, are classed as an outbuilding. This is a Class E permitted development for householders and usually doesn’t require planning permission as long as the building adheres to certain restrictions.

Some of these building restrictions include:

The building must be a single storey
The building must not include verandas, balconies or raised platforms
The building must not cover more than half the area of land around your house

You can read the full guidance on the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government website.

Subterranean pools

Building an underground pool is a great way to expand and improve your home if you don’t have much available space. While some basement extension projects are classed as permitted developments, others are not. Your local authority will have the final say on planning permission for subterranean pools, so it’s best to check with them directly.

Pools within listed buildings

As with any major development within a listed building, any type of indoor pool in a listed building will require planning permission before the project can commence. This includes basement pools, which, although they may not be visible from outside, could still drastically change the design, structure and purpose of the building.

Do outdoor swimming pools need planning permission?

For the most part, properties in the UK don’t require planning permission for an outdoor swimming pool, as this is classed as a garden project and therefore a permitted development. An outdoor pool must be uncovered and not surrounded by heated air, which would otherwise classify them as an indoor pool.

Let’s look at a couple of different types of outside swimming pools and their planning permission requirements.

Pools on the site of a listed building

You will almost certainly need planning permission to build an outdoor pool on the site of a listed building. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be allowed to build one at all; you may simply have to change the design, size or location of the pool to meet your local authority’s requirements.

Pools within conservation areas

If your property lies within one of the following, there’s a good chance that you will require planning permission to build an outdoor swimming pool:

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Conservation area
Designated land
Green belt land
National park

Natural swimming pools

Natural swimming pools are a great option for those looking to embrace the biodiversity of their garden and avoid the maintenance and chemicals associated with standard swimming pools. As with outdoor pools, planning permission is usually not required, unless your property lies within a conservation area. However, it may be easier to get permission for a natural swimming pool than a traditional pool in an AONB, as it will blend in better with the surroundings.

Need help getting planning permission for your swimming pool?

If you’re not sure whether your residential swimming pool project requires planning permission, take a look at the Planning Portal for the national online planning application process.

However, your best option is to partner with an experienced architect who understands the ins and outs of planning permission requirements, and is able to handle the application on your behalf. At Design Haus Architecture, we’ll support you throughout every step of the design and planning process, including working with your local authority to get your plans approved.

We are highly experienced in large residential projects and were recently nominated for Young Architect of the Year at the Building Design Architect of the Year Awards 2022. Take a look at our Newton House project as an example of one of our contemporary designs. We designed this new dwelling in rural Derbyshire to work around the natural path of the sun, with a bespoke swimming pool at the heart of the design.

Alongside luxury swimming pools, we can also assist with designing private spas and gyms, as well as any other bespoke architectural projects. If you’d like to discuss how Design Haus can support the design, planning permission and build of your new swimming pool, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch online, email studio@designhausarchitecture.co.uk, or call 0115 678 8917.

Published by Siobhan Harris in Advice, Planning permission, Residential architecture

Tags: Architect, Planning Permission, Working with Architects

22 July 2022

Young Architect of the Year – Shortlisted

We are absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted for 'Young Architect of the Year' at the Building Design Architect of the Year Awards 2022.

"The Young Architect of the Year Awards is organised by Building Design to recognise and reward the UK's most promising new architects or practices".
Building Design

These prestigious awards, reward architects for a consistent body of work rather than just one-off projects. So we are extra especially delighted that we have been nominated! If you would like to see the work that got us nominated for this award, please head over to our projects section.

One of our projects which was referenced by Building Design was North Road.

"North Road is the conversion and extension of an existing bungalow into a modern four-bedroom home. This project brings together a range of different design ideas which required working within the parameters of the existing structure and site boundary.
The new building was developed almost entirely using virtual reality technology. The client was able to wander through the space in realtime, making suggestions and observations long before the project was submitted to planning. Moving walls, changing materials and creating new moments in the design was achievable within minutes."
Building Design

North Road - Architect of the Year Award

Find out more about the 'Architect of the Year Awards' and those shortlisted for the 2022 Awards.

If you would like to learn about how we could assist you with your architectural project please get in touch.

Published by Siobhan Harris in Awards

Tags: Architect, Architecture

19 May 2022

RICS Awards 2022 Winner – Residential Project

We were delighted and honoured to win best 'Residential Project' in the East Midlands at the RICS Awards 2022 this week. These awards held by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors recognise the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.

We are thrilled that our 'Feel Good Project' won in the 'Residential Project' category for the East Midlands. The RICS judges described the project as one which,

" Embraces 21st century materials, design principles and sustainability. This significantly new home in the Nottingham countryside provides a first class family home for this and future generations."

We are now looking forward to competing in the RICS Awards 2022 Grand National Finals in October in London.

See more of our Feel Good Project

See the RICS announcement on YouTube

Published by Siobhan Harris in Architectural design, Awards, Residential architecture

Tags: Nottingham architect, RICS Awards, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

4 May 2022

Modern Home Extension, Nottingham

The Feel Good project is a modern home extension of a property located on the edge of a nature reserve. The process not only resulted in an outstanding design but also had a positive effect on the surrounding community.

The Brief

The property is set within an area of outstanding beauty. However, the owner felt he was unable to enjoy the views or access the garden easily due to its outdated design.

Working collaboratively, we designed a modern extension with floor to ceiling glazing, which would allow the family to pass effortlessly between the outdoor and indoor spaces. A sequence of terraces and roof gardens further enables the homeowners to enjoy different external spaces and zones at different times of day.

With all projects we are mindful that dwellings need to fit in fluidly with the properties surrounding them. We analysed the nature and buildings of the surrounding area and sourced local stone to match the original stone walls exposed around the site.

What We Did

We designed contemporary additions of glass, canopies and an uninterrupted steel framework to create connectivity between the new, yet historically styled, walls. We made careful use of contrasting light and shade, texture and materials.

The rear of the property was completely transformed. What was once a rather tall, overbearing, flat building, it is now an elevation of prominence and elegance which is pleasing on both horizontal and vertical axes.

We gathered design styles and ideas from all over the world, delivering a scheme that is nonetheless cohesive and at ease with its dramatic surroundings. The gradually diminishing width of form makes the property less dominating on the skyline, and the design creates a sense of the building flowing down into the garden and into the nature reserve below.

As a result, the house is now intrinsically connected to the outside through its roof terraces, balconies and stepped access.

Challenges

Access to the site was difficult because the property sits at nine metres below street level, surrounded by steep slopes and trees. We had to carefully plot and plan vehicular access along the winding, steep, private road of the estate; accurate schematic drawings were prepared to ensure cranes could deliver the large items such as steel and glass that were needed for construction.

Prior to work commencing we carried out test-runs to ensure that raw materials could be safely delivered. For certain fragile items we created a platform to bridge the half-metre gap between the bottom of the delivery truck boom and the ground level.

We agreed terms with Nottingham City Council for access to the project from across the park; we also involved the local community early on, engaging with neighbours on deliveries and crane movements to keep their inconvenience to a minimum. We also ensured regular maintenance of the road and removal of waste to further minimise disruption.

In addition, the COVID-19 outbreak meant we had to create additional health and safety protocols to ensure the project could continue and that the people working on it would feel safe.

Working Sustainably

As a south-facing property with a significant amount of glazing, the previous home would regularly overheat. The owners of the Feel Good project assumed they needed to invest in air conditioning; however, we were able to effectively reduce the average temperature of the house by using solar shading and strategically placed windows to create a natural stack ventilation system.

Furthermore, the creation of a sequence of terraces and roof gardens means the homeowners can now enjoy the external spaces and zones at different times of day.

Externally, the project also involved sculpting the lower part of the garden adjacent to the nature reserve. 19 houses are situated next to the nature reserve, but unfortunately the poor access meant that the community found it difficult to enjoy the nature on its doorstep. By resculpting the area next to the property we were able to enhance access to the nature reserve for the local community and the wider public. The owner of the property is also implementing a wildlife plan to further enhance this aspect of the local environment.

Feel Good All Round

Our clients were delighted with their re-modelled and extended home; it has made a significant difference to their lives and the way that they use the house. The surrounding community has also been very positively affected by the build, which has in turn improved their well-being.

We were thrilled that our Feel Good project won us a RICS Awards 2022, with winner of best Residential Project. These awards held by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors recognise the most inspirational projects in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.

See more of our Feel Good project

Published by Siobhan Harris in Architectural design, Home improvement

Tags: Planning Permission, Sustainability

25 April 2022

Bungalow Conversion, Nottinghamshire

Priory House is a conversion of a bungalow into a two-storey stunning spacious family home in West Bridgford, a residential area in Nottinghamshire.

The Brief

We were appointed to design a spacious home with five generous bedrooms and a large open-plan living space with easy access onto the gardens. This was alongside an office, a cinema room, reading spaces and entertaining areas.

Although the existing plot suited the clients’ requirements, the single story layout did not meet their family’s needs.

The bungalow occupied a commanding corner on one of the most prestigious roads in the area. Earlier applications to demolish the building and create multiple dwellings had been refused due to the prominent location and the style of the designs proposed.

We worked closely with the clients and the planning department to design a striking, contemporary family home which wouldn’t overwhelm adjacent structures. The new property sits harmoniously in the street, retaining a synergy with the adjacent arts-and-crafts style buildings.

Challenges

The local planning authority were highly conscious of the key location of this corner plot, so any development had to be scaled appropriately. We anticipated initial resistance to a two-storey development, so we engaged with planners and liaised with neighbours at the earliest opportunity. This ensured that our proposals were accepted as being in proportion and in keeping with the site.

Working Sustainably

We had to carefully plan our structural strategy due to the additional loads being applied to the existing building. We were able to avoid the need for underpinning, using instead a timber-framed design on the upper floor. This was alongside using individual pad foundations and a steel structure. This also meant we avoided tonnes of concrete being poured into the ground, making this a more sustainable solution.

A New Identity

The strong design features and structure of the existing bungalow had to be carefully unpicked in order to successfully invest the property with its new identity.

The project had two key elevations to consider, each facing a different road. We worked with a neutral palette of charred black timber, white render and glass. This kept the main elevation simple while emphasising other elements to create character and focus.

The proportions of the first floor gables were designed to reference those of the surrounding buildings. The steel-framed glazing and monochrome colour scheme further complemented the existing property.

The internal spaces retain much of the bungalow’s original layout, with new zones carved into the original footprint. The upper floor is accessed by a central feature staircase, and we used the existing spine walls to create a central corridor giving access to each bedroom. We retained the original doorway and created a striking new entrance hall.

Within the open plan kitchen and living space we created discreet activity zones. We included a reading corner and a dedicated relaxing space in the mezzanine above the sitting area.

The result is a contemporary, striking yet harmonious home perfectly designed for a family with growing children.

See more of our Priory Road project

Published by Siobhan Harris in Architectural design, Extensions, Residential architecture

Tags: bungalow conversion, home extension, Nottingham architect, Nottinghamshire architect, Planning Permission

14 April 2022

Residential Property of the Year East Midlands – Shortlisted

We are thrilled that our ‘Feel Good’ project has been shortlisted for the ‘Residential Property of the Year’ in the Constructing Excellence East Midlands Awards 2022.

This prestigious award recognises architectural developments that provide a desirable and sustainable place to live.

Our Feel Good project is a bespoke, residential architectural project on an existing property based in Nottinghamshire. The home had an outdated design, so we extended the property and modified internal and external spaces to give it a new lease of life.

In collaboration with the clients, we designed a modern extension with floor to ceiling glazing. A sequence of terraces and roof gardens were created so that the homeowners could enjoy the various external spaces at different times of day. The new design included many sustainable benefits, latest technologies and positive improvements to the surrounding area.

We are very excited to be shortlisted for this award and are looking forward to the awards dinner which is being held at the Athena in Leicester on Thursday 9th June 2022.

See more of our 'Feel Good' project

Published by Siobhan Harris in Architectural design, Awards, News

Tags: Constructing Excellence, Constructing Excellence Awards, east midlands

8 April 2022

RICS Awards 2022 – Residential Project, Shortlisted

We are excited to announce that we have been shortlisted for Residential Project in the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Awards 2022.

We are delighted and truly honoured to have been shortlisted for this prestigious national award which recognises outstanding achievement in the land, real estate, construction and infrastructure sectors.

See more of our shortlisted entry - The Feel Good project.

Published by Siobhan Harris in Architectural design, Awards

Tags: RICS, RICS Awards

1 April 2022

Contemporary New Home, Derbyshire

Newton House is a contemporary new home with carefully designed outdoor living and entertaining spaces set in a stunning rural location in Derbyshire.

The Brief

Our clients wanted a dwelling they could retreat to when visiting the UK. We were charged with creating a very large property with multiple guest accommodations that reflected a sense of the clients’ personalities while also respecting the peace of its bucolic location.

As friends and family would also be staying regularly at the property, five self-contained guest suites were required. In addition, our clients required a summer house which could be used for entertaining separately, as well as housing an annexe where another family group could stay.

Outdoor living was important to the client, so an outdoor kitchen, fire pits, hot tub and swimming pool, along with a gymnasium, completed the brief.

Challenges

The local planning authority has strict parameters regarding the permissible styles of architecture in this environment, as well as the building’s height and visibility from key views in the wider landscape.

The extensive rural site housed an existing property which first had to be demolished to make way for the new house.

This project had few limitations other than the need to blend in with the countryside, which can be difficult when designing a property of this size and scale. Because of the unspoilt nature of the surrounding landscape and its concomitant planning restrictions, we took particular care with height considerations, ensuring that the roof and eaves did not obstruct the views of the horizon, and used local materials such as stone and slate.

What we did

This design was produced in response to the client's desire to make the most of the changing skies and far-reaching views of its rural Derbyshire location.

An exciting driver of this project was the orientation of the property. We designed the house to be South-facing so as to take advantage of the sun throughout the day, and the layout was governed by the positioning of the sun and each room's importance to the couple's daily processes and movements.

We arranged the internal spaces around the sun’s movement, creating a breakfast balcony which would be hit by the morning sun on the east side, and sleeping quarters incorporating a large roll top bath on the West side, to take advantage of the beautiful sunsets at the end of the day.

Our client was keen to create bespoke spaces, such as a dining room seating 40 people and a cinema room. The sleeping area also had specific requirements: an en-suite rainwater shower, extensive shoe and handbag storage, and separate access to the external spaces.

Our clients wanted the house to be a place of peace and sequestration. However, socialising and entertaining were also on the clients’ agenda, and guests would be staying for several weeks at a time. It was therefore important for users of the home to be able to move and live independently of each other, so we created food preparation and relaxation zones in each of the five guest suites.

The rear south-facing upper floor houses the client’s sleeping quarters but also provides significant space for food preparation, eating, bathing, and resting. Having the glazing set back ensures limited glare from the sun and creates spacious balconies for elevated views over the stunning surrounding landscape.

The lower floor provides accommodation reflecting the client's favourite pastimes. We created bespoke spaces dedicated to swimming, exercising, cooking and entertaining, positioning each area within the house to engage with the changing light and views around the property.

The first time the client saw the proposed building was through virtual reality technology. No drawings were produced as part of the initial presentation, which allowed the clients to visualise and explore their future home in absolute clarity.

Working Sustainably

Whilst the budget for the project was significant, we had to be mindful not to over-elaborate the functional zones of the building, aiming instead for efficiency in design. We were able to be more expressive in our design of areas such as the indoor pool with frameless corner glass, the grand entrance hall with twin stairs leading to the upper suites, and the stunning outdoor living spaces.

The intricacy of the design and the subtle yet striking elements of the build have a huge impact on the way the property works. Practicality and sustainability are always paramount, therefore the property features ground source heat pumps, solar panels and enhanced cavity wall sizes for added thermal insulation.

The result is a supremely comfortable and practical statement home that works with the changing light throughout the day and blends in with the natural beauty of its surroundings.

See more of our Newton House project

Contemporary new dwelling by Derbyshire Architect

Published by Siobhan Harris in Advice, Architectural design, Residential architecture

Tags: Contemporary new build, Derbyshire, Derbyshire architect, New dwelling

1 February 2022

Designer of the Year at The Architecture Community Awards

We are delighted to have won ‘Designer of the Year’ with the Architecture Community for our Newton House project. These global architecture awards celebrate the year’s best architectural design and we are extremely proud to have been recognised for this award.

Our Newton House project is a contemporary new dwelling in Derbyshire, set in a rural location surrounded by beautiful countryside. We designed a high-end luxury home for our clients; which included multiple entertaining and socialising spaces, a contemporary swimming pool and five luxury guest suites for friends and family.

See more of our Newton House project

Published by Siobhan Harris in Architectural design, Awards

10 October 2021

Best Residential and Small Commercial Designer – East Midlands

We are thrilled to have been selected as a regional winner in the LABC Building Excellence Awards in the category ‘Best Residential & Small Commercial Designer’.

The LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Awards are the largest building awards in the building control sector and recognise achievement and contributions in the construction industry.

We received this award for our ‘Feel Good project’ in Nottingham; a property on the edge of a nature reserve and in an area of outstanding beauty.

In collaboration with the client, we designed a modern extension with floor to ceiling glazing alongside a sequence of terraces and roof gardens so that the homeowners could pass fluidly between the exterior and interior spaces and enjoy its remarkable setting throughout the day.

Alongside being the East Midlands 'Best Residential & Small Commercial Designer' we are also delighted to be a shortlisted finalist for the national LABC People & Place Awards 2021.

See more of the ‘Feel Good’ project

Published by Siobhan Harris in Architectural design, Awards

Tags: LABC