Residents blast neighbour’s plan to install jacuzzi and swimming pool in Grade II listed home

By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents have blasted their neighbour’s “bling” underground pool and jacuzzi claiming it will lead to endless construction work.

The owner wants to excavate around 2.4m for his swimming pool and 70cm for the jacuzzi in the basement of the centuries-old townhouse.

Neighbours also said the 18th century home in Old Queen Street, opposite St James’s Park, had “limited foundations” and was too close to the River Thames.

In a letter to Westminster council’s planning committee, one resident said changes to the Grade II listed home, which was built in 1770, were a “travesty” and said residents had already suffered through years of building works on the street.

They wrote: “The residents have already endured more than two years of unsightly, noisy and disruptive work at No. 36 Old Queen Street, and this project, if approved, will mean that Old Queen Street continues to be an omnishambles for many years more.

“These houses and streets are simply too confined, and too architecturally special, to allow these kinds of works to happen. It is deeply selfish. If the owner needs a pool, either join a gym, or go and buy a house that has a pool – don’t try and cram one into a narrow terraced house in a single lane street.”

A third added: “This area should be protected as an architectural gem, rather than destroyed by ‘bling’ unnecessary plans and excavations that can pose risks to the other houses in the street. No one needs a pool in central London.”

A fourth worried the works could lead to diplomats from nearby embassies taking up all the available parking spots.

They said: “There has throughout the project at 36 been a partial suspension of the residents parking bay in Old Queen Street and of the diplomatic bay which has necessitated diplomatic vehicles reserving other parking spaces in the street. We can look forward to the same effect (at least) if this development is permitted.”

The Queen Anne’s Gate Residents’ Association accused the owner of digging a basement that’s bigger than planning regulations allow.

But Westminster council said the plans fall within regulation and had been approved in 2020 but recently lapsed.

It plans to give agents Agents Phillips Planning Services the green light when the planning committee meets on Tuesday.

They are also forcing builders to work during certain times to minimise noise and won’t allow any changes to the building’s brickwork.

The developer has also been asked to submit plans on how to protect surrounding greenery during construction.

Plans also include installing walk-on rooflights, a roof extension with a rear terrace and a glass wall in the kitchen as well as an entirely new staircase.

Phillips Planning Services has been approached for comment but did not provide one by the time of publishing.

Pictured top: The property in Old Queen Street (Picture: Westminster council)