Outdoor swimming pool done properly - how quick?

[JulianPH]

Hi all

I posted before about an indoor swimming pool project that has been scuppered by planning permission (thanks to those who responded then). I have now been stuffed by the ex-wife regarding a summer holiday with my daughter and can't book anywhere we would like to go at the beginning of the school break..

However, the money now saved (we have eye wateringly expensive holidays - major treats) would cover the cost of building a very nice outdoor pool at home. So, I have the land and cash, no planning permission is needed (I believe) so it is a question of time.

Obviously I know this is dependent on availability, and I want a proper concrete shell and tiled pool, heated, hard electric cover to keep it fully covered (from falling debris - large trees nearby) and insulated (to keep down heating costs) and a good quality surrounding area (York stone would match the adjoining terrace). Also looking for advanced filtration so no chlorine or salt water.

I know I am probably being very unrealistic, but does anyone know of an available contractor (with a great past portfolio) who could do this ASAP...?

Thanks

Julian

[rustyuk]

Save your cash and take her to Splash Landings at Alton Towers instead. You can guarantee once built summer will be over.

[JulianPH]

rustyuk said:

Save your cash and take her to Splash Landings at Alton Towers instead. You can guarantee once built summer will be over.

I would love to, but it is more difficult than that, She has Cerebral Palsy and that is way to much for her (I should have mentioned this - but she is my daughter, not my disabled daughter, if you know what I mean).

The whole idea of a pool is for fun and loads of exercise (without her realising it!).

Thankfully all the doctors were wrong and she can do almost everything, I just thought this would be something to strengthen her further and make up for the lost holiday.

[paolow]

JulianPH said:

I would love to, but it is more difficult than that, She has Cerebral Palsy and that is way to much for her (I should have mentioned this - but she is my daughter, not my disabled daughter, if you know what I mean).

The whole idea of a pool is for fun and loads of exercise (without her realising it!).

Thankfully all the doctors were wrong and she can do almost everything, I just thought this would be something to strengthen her further and make up for the lost holiday.

Makes sense - but how about a halfway house with an above ground pool from a kit if she is able to use and enjoy such a thing - but one of the more elaborate ones with filters, pumps and whatnot to test the water so to speak (see what I did there?)

Then you can see if maintaining it is a chore or something you dont mind, she gets her pool and can enjoy it pretty quickly and you then have the time to consider the quotes for expensive earthworks and similar until that pool 'gets old'?

[JDiz]

Is the indoor option really dead in the water? No way around it?

[JulianPH]

paolow said:

Makes sense - but how about a halfway house with an above ground pool from a kit if she is able to use and enjoy such a thing - but one of the more elaborate ones with filters, pumps and whatnot to test the water so to speak (see what I did there?)

Then you can see if maintaining it is a chore or something you dont mind, she gets her pool and can enjoy it pretty quickly and you then have the time to consider the quotes for expensive earthworks and similar until that pool 'gets old'?

I would want it done properly, I spent enough on the house and whilst not rolling in it I can afford it. Cheers

[JulianPH]

JDiz said:

Is the indoor option really dead in the water? No way around it?

Planning permission in a conservation village is proving a problem for the indoor pool project.

The house only narrowly escaped Grade 2 listing, and I mean narrowly!

It is ridiculous as I have two acres that are not visible from the road, but there you go...

An outdorr pool seems the only option right now, but won't stop me going for the indoor one!

Julian

[easy_rider33]

How about looking at a large custom build log cabin and put a pool in that? You don't need planning for that as it's a temporary structure. Just keep it away from the boundary and below the specified height limit for an outdoor structure. You could use it in the winter then too.

[ClaphamGT3]

Assuming you want a proper built-in pool and not a hole with a fibre glass liner, you're probably looking at a two to two and a half month build. It will be a bit longer if you want the pool tiled rather than lined.

Do bear in mind that, with the best workmanship in the world, the garden around the pool will look like a re-enactment of the Somme for the first summer

[DanCup]

Have you thought about an Endless Pool? They don't need to be as big as you're able to swim against a current and get some exercise, from what I've read they are also quicker to install as they are modular (and smaller).

http://www.endlesspools.co.uk/

Looking at their gallery they can presumably be finished off with a composite deck/stonework for a higher end finish.

[Connectors]

JulianPH said:

However, the money now saved (we have eye wateringly expensive holidays - major treats) would cover the cost of building a very nice outdoor pool at home.

Julian

£90k is a hell of a holiday in anyone's book.

[eliot]

Endless pool is a good shout. I think they are about £20k

[Andehh]

Considered beefing up the ground around the pool should planning permission be granted in future?

Or a metal sliding canopy on rollers? A compromise between ''in doors'' and protected from the elements, but no permissions needed.

Also be aware that for truly ''in door'' pools you need some decent Air Conditioning for the humidity otherwise you will slowly trash the building it is in.

edit: Layman's thoughts^

Edited by Andehh on Tuesday 20th June 08:23

[GT03ROB]

A few years back on a construction camp, we had a project director who didn't want to spend the money for a pool. We took the decision to beg forgiveness than ask permission. He would visit at 5-6 week intervals so we had precisely this amount of time to get it built. Ok we had all the labour & equipment we needed, but managed it in 5 weeks for a 20mx10m pool!!

I know others have said but are you certain there is no way around the planning issue. My parents had a similar issue but ultimately found that they could build an indoor pool provided the building was a certain minimum distance away from the main house. There was some dispensation around "leisure buildings".

[robinessex]

This might help

https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/20-things-you-can-d...

http://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-a...

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200125/do_yo...

https://www.gov.uk/planning-permission-england-wal...

http://www.doineedplanningpermission.co.uk/plannin...

You don’t need planning permission for a swimming pool. You can also build a shed without, providing a few minor rules regards height, location to the boundary, and relationship to garden size. Grade 2 only applies to an existing building, nowt to do with the land it’s on.

Edited by robinessex on Tuesday 20th June 08:37

[Johnniem]

Swimming pools are lovely to have I am sure but they do not add value and may well be seen as a negative by any prospective purchaser. I have always fancied a natural swimming pool....like these....

http://www.gartenart.co.uk/

I am not connected in any way to these people and I am sure there are others available. They look great though!!

JM

[TA14]

Johnniem said:

Swimming pools are lovely to have I am sure but they do not add value and may well be seen as a negative by any prospective purchaser. I have always fancied a natural swimming pool....like these....

Whilst a pool may add value for some and not others I doubt that there's a significant negative value. They're easy to backfill with demolition waste/topsoil and I can't see it being an issue on houses of significant value which is where the pools are generally found.

[boyse7en]

You won't get a proper in-ground concrete tiled pool built in a hurry.
For a start any decent pool builder will be booked up well in advance, but just tiling a pool can take a considerable amount of time.

My advice would be to buy a wooden-framed above ground pool for this year (something like a Gardi). This isn't cheap but will be relatively quick to install. They look decent too, especially if you landscape/deck around them.
Then, assuming it goes down well, you can look at getting a pool built next easter which should be ready for the summer.

Whereabouts are you in the country? I used to work in the pool industry and still have a few contacts

[TA14]

boyse7en said:

You won't get a proper in-ground concrete tiled pool built in a hurry.
For a start any decent pool builder will be booked up well in advance, but just tiling a pool can take a considerable amount of time.

My advice would be to buy a wooden-framed above ground pool for this year (something like a Gardi). This isn't cheap but will be relatively quick to install. They look decent too, especially if you landscape/deck around them.
Then, assuming it goes down well, you can look at getting a pool built next easter which should be ready for the summer.

Whereabouts are you in the country? I used to work in the pool industry and still have a few contacts

Looks like we have a winning post. https://www.dolphinpools.co.uk/swimming-pools/timb...

[Johnniem]

TA14 said:

Johnniem said:

Swimming pools are lovely to have I am sure but they do not add value and may well be seen as a negative by any prospective purchaser. I have always fancied a natural swimming pool....like these....

Whilst a pool may add value for some and not others I doubt that there's a significant negative value. They're easy to backfill with demolition waste/topsoil and I can't see it being an issue on houses of significant value which is where the pools are generally found.

That's fair comment TA