Building a Pool - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need Planning Permission?

As a general rule the answer for an outdoor pool is no. However, if the pool is to be installed in the grounds of a listed house, an area of outstanding natural beauty, a conservation area, in the front garden or takes up more than 66% of the rear garden, then local authority building control regulation will need to obtained and certain councils may even ask planning approval.

For indoor pools, full planning approval will need to be granted, which your architect will help you apply for.

Air structures are specifically excluded from building control regulations but telescopic or fixed pool enclosures comply with the requirements of building control regulations, in respect of wind and snow loadings. They are also designed to satisfy the permitted development rules. However, certain councils may ask for planning approval depending on which area you live in.

2. How much will it cost to fill the pool up with water?

A lot cheaper than you think. Take an average 10m x 5m pool holding approximately, 15000 gallons, it will cost in the Thames Water area, £38.00 for the initial fill up. Taking an average summer season, an outdoor pool will lose approximately 500mm for evaporation, splashing etc, so therefore it will cost approximately £13.00 to maintain the correct level throughout the season.

3. Which is the best type of pool - liner or tiled?

Both pools have their pros and cons, but at the end of the day it really comes down to budget. There has been a vast increase in the sales of liner pools over the last 20 years due to the ease and speed of installation, which makes them cheaper to install and are considered to be overall best value for none. Every year new designs of patterns for the liner are available, which from distance will fool the expert eye into thinking its' a tiled pool.

4. How long will the liner last in the pool?

Treated with some respect and the proper chemical usage, liners last on average 12 to 15 years, and many of the pools we installed some 20 years ago still have their original liner.

5. How much will it cost to replace the liner in my pool?

Taking your average 10m x 5m hopper pool, approximately £3,000 and 3 to 4 days work.

6. Do I have to pay VAT on new pools?

All outdoor pools are subject to the current rate of VAT (17.5%)

Some indoor pools are exempt from VAT, These being; A new private dwelling under construction with a pool built within the building. A new nursing home, retirement home, hospice, student hall, monastery, nursery and buildings for the armed forces under construction with a pool built within the building. An indoor pool for use by charity.

Any indoor pool built in the course of an alteration of a listed building, providing that listed building consent has been given before works begin.

Listed building rights does not give an automatic right of VAT relief, particularly if the pool building is detached from the main house. However, a covered open air walkway and a single wall connecting the pool building to the main dwelling, may be enough for it to count as an extension and therefore by zero rated, so a court ruled in a VAT case.

7. Can you offer some help in positioning an outdoor pool?

Yes, but this particular advice can only be given on-site with you present to discuss it. But in general terms, a pool wants to be close to the house for safety reasons and to maximise the house facilities for toilets, changing and electric, gas and oil drainage services. The further away from the property the costly this will become.

To maximise the sun, the pool should be south facing with as much east-west aspect as possible. The wind speed across the pool is the biggest factor in cooling the water (as well as its' occupants) and therefore anything that forms a windbreak to the prevailing wind will help whether it be trees, a wall or house. Trees on the other hand can become a nuisance in relation to cleaning the pool particularly those that over hang it.