Understanding Planning Permission for Swimming Pools

If you're thinking about installing a swimming pool at your home, it's really important to get to grips with what's needed regarding planning permission and Building Regulations.

Good news! For many household swimming pools, you might be able to construct them without needing a formal planning application. This applies whether you're putting your pool outside or inside a new building, often called a 'pool hall'. This is thanks to something called "permitted development rights". However, this is only possible if your proposed pool project adheres to specific limitations and requirements.

Where can you find these rules? The detailed criteria you need to follow are usually found within the guidelines for outbuildings. This is because both outdoor pools – which are seen as an additional amenity for enjoying your home – and indoor pool structures (your 'pool hall') are generally treated as outbuildings for planning purposes.