DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT
Cannonberries Poynings Road Fulking Henfield West Sussex BN5 9NB
The property Cannonberries is a large detached dwelling set on a large plot to the south of Poynings Road. The property is to the outside of the settlement boundary of the village of Fulking and within the South Downs National Park.
The application site is open on the southern and eastern sides. To the north and west are hedge boundaries with the road and The Dales. The site is generally level albeit there is a gentle downward slope from east to west. The site is visible from a number of vantage points along the South Downs Way, given that it lies close to the foot of the scarp slope.
The property itself has a rear concealed ‘courtyard’ where a swimming pool is sited, the courtyard and pool are well screened with hedging and planting, There are no views to this private courtyard area from the south downs way or neighbouring properties.
PROPOSAL
The proposed application is to enclose the existing swimming pool, the existing pool is 7.1 in width (at its widest point) and 13.3m in length. The pool is surrounded by a paved patio area with a high hedge to the west, hedging and planting to the south, the property and an outbuilding screen the north and east. Due to health reasons the applicant has been encouraged to use the pool more often however the pool is difficult to heat, clean and maintain. We have attached a google earth site picture to the application.
The proposal is to enclose the pool so that the applicant could use it more and enjoy the health benefits. By enclosing the pool, heating would become easier and more cost/energy efficient. The pool will also be easier to clean and maintain.
The existing pool is for private use by the homeowner and this would not alter once enclosed. The pool is positioned to the rear of the property some distance from the road and is set within a concealed courtyard.
DESIGN
The proposed retractable pool enclosure will be 16.8m length, 8m width and will have a maximum height of 2.6m.
No base or ground works are required as the enclosure will sit on the existing paved area, this is an outbuilding and temporary structure with no foundations.
The frames are light weight, slim aluminium .The aluminium frame is Marine Grade powder coated. The sides are to be fully glazed with clear glass, the roof material will be polycarbonate. This is a retractable swimming pool enclosure that opens with sections retracting into the east and west section. We have attached some example photographes of similar pool enclosures to the application.
As the proposed is a light weigth structure and prodominatly glazed it does not have any detrimental effect on the appeance of the host property, grounds, or surrounding area.
This type of enclosure has been previously approved for use within the surrounding area as well as other areas of outstanding natural beauty and within grounds of listed buildings where appropriate.
The existing pool is surrounded a high hedge and shrubs meaning this enclosure will not be visible from neighbouring properties, nor will it be noticeable from the South Downs Way.
The maximum height will be no more than 2.6m measured from ground level so not taller than any part of the property or surrounding hedging.
We feel the proposed enclosure is considered a subservient addition to the property and grounds. We also do not feel by enclosing the swimming pool that this will have an adverse effect on the surrounding area.
ACCESS
The floor of the enclosure is set at the same level as the existing paving. When the enclosure is retracted there will be no thresholds or step overs