CHRISTIAN and Geri Horner are splashing out on a new swimming pool at their historic country home – but could land in hot water with conservationists.
The Red Bull Racing boss, 50, and his Spice Girl wife, 51, have applied for planning permission to build a 40x16ft outdoor pool in the grounds of their sprawling Oxfordshire estate.
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But Christian and Geri could face a battle with officials at the local council as their 18th Century former vicarage is Grade II listed and the proposed site is within an historic walled garden.
The 1.8m-deep pool will include a fountain in the wall at the 1.2m shallow end, paved terrace, outdoor showers, a new patio surround, bespoke paving and decorative planting.
The proposed pool garden will feature existing topiary, an apple or rose walk with tree arches, a yew hedge, vegetable garden, raised flower beds and a fruit cage.
In a heritage impact statement, planning agents said: “The architectural quality and status of the house will not be affected by the installation of a modern swimming pool in a historically removed area of the garden.
“It is considered that the insertion of a swimming pool within the boundary of the kitchen garden, without altering it in any way, does not impact the broader garden setting of [the house], the kitchen garden historically being physically and visually separated from the house.
“The proposal for a swimming pool is part of the ongoing evolution of the history and development of [the house], representing another phase of investment in its long and varied history.
“It is not considered that the location of the pool will have any impact on [the house], or on its heritage significance.”
Christian and Geri’s stately pile already boasts an indoor swimming pool, boating lake, stables, helipad and an orangery.
Two years ago, they were granted planning permission for a first floor extension to an existing service wing, a replacement barn and a new greenhouse.
They have now applied for consent for the pool and an air source heat pump to be housed in an existing outbuilding.
Officials at her local council are expected to make a decision next month and there have so far been no objections from neighbours.
