Application no. 20/P4018

Ward: Village

Recommendation: GRANT Planning Permission subject to conditions

RESOLVED that the application number 20/P4018 be GRANTED planning permission subject to conditions.

Proposal; Erection of swimming pool in rear garden, with plant room and associated works.

The Committee noted the report and the plans presented by the Development Control Team Leader (North). The Committee also noted the modification sheet contained in the supplementary agenda.

Two residents had registered to speak in objection to the proposed scheme, and at the request of the Chair, had raised a number of points, including:

·         this was an extremely environmentally unfriendly application. Excavating the entire length of a garden and building an enormous underground dam was deemed to be inconsiderate to the environment and the surrounding neighbours who were in extremely close proximity;

·         the application contravenes at least 3 planning laws; DM F1 (support for Flood Risk Management). Surrounding gardens had flooded in recent years since the excavation of three basements in a row;

·         There were contravenes to DM D2 (c) Merton Basement Guidance and Policy;

·         as well as a basement which was already under 4-5 metres of the rear garden amenity space, the garden was currently mostly hard paved and this would remove further vegetation as well as sinking a huge deep cement dam into the entire length of the garden;

·         due to the overdevelopment of No 10, this application required full planning permission and therefore all the correct documentation should be supplied including current hydrology information;

·         concerns of loss of trees;

·         excavation of basements from swimming pools potentially has a huge impact on neighbouring properties with a risk of flooding.

The applicant had registered to speak and at the request of the Chair addressed the Committee with the following points:

·         the scheme was proposing planting of seven new tress, in addition to the existing 18 tress;

·         the applicants commissioned in a hydrology report to ensure neighbours were not affected;

·         the pool would be 1.8 meters deep and therefore did not reach the water table which is 2.7 meters below ground level;

·         an introduction of the suds drainage system which would be agreed by officers prior to works commencing, this would remove excess water from around the site and improve the existing situation.

Councillor Najeeb Latif (Ward Member for Village) had submitted a speech which was read out by the Democratic Services Officer.  The Committee had noted that Councillor Latif fully supports the objectors’ concerns with regards to the inadequate and out of date information supporting this application and the excessive flooding which was now occurring due to the construction of basements in the vicinity. Merton’s own Basement and Subterranean guidance request for an up-to date Construction Method Statement (CMS) which must include current and valid ground investigations, hydrology reports, localised surface water, nearby basements causing localised flooding and an engineering design submitted by a suitably qualified engineer. Furthermore, it was requested that the committee add conditions that the applicant provided new ground investigations and engineering design that clearly identifies nearby basements.

The Development Control Team Leader (North) informed the Committee that the application was not for a basement and it was for an outdoor pool, thereforea hydrology impact assessment was not required for this proposal. Nonetheless, the applicant had submitted thehydrology statement. The proposal was considered to be acceptable and that seven new tress would be planted.

In the ensuing debate, Members’ raised a number of points. The Development Control Team Leader (North) stated that if a flood from a property causes damage to a neighbouring property, this would be a civil matter.   

The Chair moved to the vote on the officer’s recommendation and it was

RESOLVED that the application number 20/P4018 be GRANTED planning permission subject to conditions.

(The meeting was adjourned at 21:05 and resumed at 21.12)