A homeowner’s plans to build an extension to his house in Ascot has raised fears that its approval could trigger a flood of bids for gyms, pools and studios down the exclusive Ascot road.
The homeowner Bo Feng had applied to build an orangery, as a large conservatory to house a gym and a games room for him and his family at their home at 16 Kingswood.
However, neighbours raised fears that applications for games rooms, gyms and covered swimming pools could ‘flood’ in, swallowing up the sizeable gardens provided for homeowners in the exclusive residential road.
The plan was discussed at an advisory meeting of Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee.
A neighbour Nick Rhodes spoke in objection to the plan at the meeting, which was also opposed by the Society for the Protection of Ascot & Environs (SPAE).
Mr Rhodes said: “The concern amongst residents is that this may trigger a flood of similar applications to build garden gyms, indoor pools or exercise studios under the guise of a conservatory or an orangery.
“SPAE believes that the extension is excessive… They believe that this is entirely inappropriate in a green belt area.
“The extension really is enormous. It would produce a 22 metre long brick wall the length of a cricket pitch, all built within half a metre of our boundary fence.
“If this doesn’t meet the definition of overbearing, I’m not sure what does.”
Meanwhile, planning agent Andrew Evans said that the extension follows guidelines regarding height and size.
Although the plan is for a childrens games room to be contained in the orangery, Mr Feng can install a swimming pool inside of it.
However, planning officer Alexander Ralph said that any plant equipment for the pool that would be built outside the orangery would require planning permission.
Giving his view of the plan, councillor Colin Dudley, the chairman of the committee (Conservative, Crown Wood) said that it is policy compliant and would not have an excessive impact on the greenbelt.
The plan was approved by 12 votes to five in the meeting on Thursday, January 20.
Kingswood is a pricey housing development by Millgate Homes which is partly constructed off Kings Ride.
Mr Feng’s house is valued at £933,000 according to the property site The Move Market.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here