TalkTalk CEO's new pool upsets locals

TalkTalk's CEO, Dido Harding, and her husband, MP John Penrose, have built a new pool building on their property which local villagers complain is "ugly and massive." Opposers claim that the building strays from the original plans that were submitted to the council, because it is easily seen from a well-used footpath, and is not in keeping with the adjacent 15th century, Grade II listed village church. Despite accusations that planning was given because of the couple's high-profile status, the North Somerset Council is confident that the application, and amendment, had been subject to the usual planning process.

Advertisement

Villagers are up in arms after their local Conservative MP built a ‘hideous’ swimming pool in his back garden in the shadow of a Grade I-listed church.

John Penrose MP and his wife, TalkTalk chief Dido Harding, claimed the pool would not be clearly visible before it was built in Winscombe, Somerset.

But residents argue the ‘ugly and massive’ development is easy to see from a well-trodden public footpath and is a blight on the Mendip Hills landscape.

They claim it strays from the original plans, which said the pool would have a turf roof to help it blend in and be ‘sympathetic’ to local historic buildings.

The apparent ease with which the high-flying millionaire couple gained permission has also raised eyebrows because their home is Grade II-listed.

Contrasts: The view from a well-trodden footpath in Winscombe, Somerset, which overlooks the property of Conservative MP John Penrose

New building: The swimming pool that has been built on the gounds of Mr Penrose's property, which can be seen from a public footpath

Planning application: Mr Penrose (left) claimed the pool would not be clearly visible before it was built near the church in Somerset (right)

Mr Penrose, the MP for Weston-super-Mare since 2005, had originally planned to cover the roof with grass to help it blend into the countryside.

But this was later dropped and the finished building with a 62ft pool has a grey zinc roof which villagers argue is not in keeping with the landscape.

Local councillor Cresten Boase, of Winscombe and Sandford Parish Council, has complained that the ‘in-your-face’ structure is a blot on the landscape.

She said: ‘We asked, in view of the fact that it is near to a Grade I-listed church, that the rather stark concrete finish be replaced with natural stone.

‘The parish council's planning committee voted unanimously for that and I don't believe it has been done.

‘We are very proud of St James's and it occupies a prominent position in the village and the swimming pool is a very extravagant, in-your-face structure.

‘For ordinary families, being able to go for a ramble in the country is a wonderful thing and it does affect their view.’

A furious villager, who lives in a farmhouse close the Penroses with her sons, said: ‘I think it is really awful right next to the lovely church.

Grade I-listed: The grounds and building of the Church of St James the Great in Winscombe, which lies next to Mr Penrose's property

Family: Mr Penrose (centre right) with his wife, TalkTalk boss Dido Harding (right), mother Jill Lawrie (left) and stepfather Tom Laurie

15th century: Residents say building is ‘not in keeping’ with the area's character and dwarfs the adjacent St James the Great Church

‘I've got no objection to them building a swimming pool - it's the placement of it. It is hideous compared to the beautiful, historical buildings next to it.

‘I walk up the side of the church all the time. We take the boys up to the woods up there to play. It's a very well-used footpath and that walk has been affected. It's really surprising. Do you think I would get planning permission to build that in my field? I don't think so. It's got to be to do with their status.’

It is hideous compared to the beautiful, historical buildings next to it Winscombe resident

Anne Owen, a Winscombe resident of 15 years, said: ‘It is large and it doesn't fit with the church. It doesn't fit with the village. Half of the time they're not even living here because he's in London.’

Mr Penrose and his wife - made a life peer with the title 'Baroness Dido Harding of Winscombe' in 2014 - bought their property for £550,00 in 2000 but it is now estimated to be worth £1.25million.

They applied for planning permission in 2013 and the original plans stated the building would have a grassy roof to fit in with the village.

The parish council asked for the exterior walls of the pool house to be faced with a more sympathetic natural stone - but this was dismissed by North Somerset Council.

After receiving no objections from locals, the district council gave the go-ahead but architects Benjamin and Beauchamp later applied for an amendment to the roof. They proposed a curved zinc sheet citing 'complications' with original roof design, amid fears the grass would not grow in the shade.

Place of worship: A local councillor said the village is 'very proud of St James's and it occupies a prominent position in the village'

First draft: They applied for planning permission in 2013 and the plans stated the building would have a grassy roof to fit in with the village

Objections: The parish council asked for the exterior walls of the pool house to be faced with a more sympathetic natural stone

Winscombe and Sandford Parish Council objected again, stating the grey metal sheet would not be ‘sympathetic’ to the historical buildings nearby.

It is large and it doesn't fit with the church. It doesn't fit with the village Anne Owen, Winscombe resident

They recommended that the plan be approved on the condition that the originally-proposed grass roof was installed or replaced with a natural stone-effect roof.

But North Somerset Council once again over-ruled the advice and English Heritage did not object - leaving Winscombe residents with no choice but to live with the result.

In the report approving the plans, they said the metal roof was an ‘improvement on the original design’ and would ‘blend with the lead on the church roof’.

‘Although the roof would not be a sedum roof or slate roof as suggested, the proposal is considered acceptable,’ it said.

Residents say building is ‘not in keeping’ with the character of the area and dwarfs the adjacent 15th century St James the Great church.

Questions have also been raised about how the Penrose family, who only occupy the house at weekends, managed to get the go ahead for the plans.

Ernest Hart, 79, a retired draughtsman who has lived in the historic part of Winscombe for 15 years, added: ‘I must say I'm rather surprised at the size of it. I didn't know how big it was going to be. One would have thought it would be a better option with the grass and sedum.’

Early vision: The district council gave the go-ahead but architects Benjamin and Beauchamp later applied for an amendment to the roof

Plans: Architects later proposed a curved zinc sheet citing 'complications' with original roof design, amid fears the grass would not grow

A spokesman for Mr Penrose said North Somerset Council and English Heritage had approved the pool's construction twice. They added that its visibility from the path would be reduced once new bushes are planted around the building.

A spokesman for North Somerset Council said the Penroses did everything by the book. He said: 'The application was dealt with through the usual planning application process. To suggest that planning permission was granted because of who he is is ridiculous and frankly insulting.'

A very extravagant, in-your-face structure Cresten Boase, Winscombe councillor

Historic England assessed the site but concluded the swimming pool would have a ‘minimal’ impact on the Grade I listed church site. As a result the organisation, which works to protect historic sites, did not object to the plans.

Simon Robertshaw, inspector of historic buildings and areas for Historic England, said: ‘When the planning application was submitted, we visited the site. We came to the view that the impact upon the setting of the Grade I-listed Church of St James would be minimal.

‘We suggested in our advice letter to North Somerset District Council that conditions be applied to the building's materials, to ensure that the visual impact was minimised. The views from the listed church itself formed an important part of our consideration.’

Mr Penrose was once Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.