Southwell Town Council supports plans for pool and orangery at Grade II listed Westgate home

Plans for a pool, orangery and internal alterations at a Grade II listed home have been supported.

The application, for Regency House on Westgate, Southwell, includes the removal of a conservatory and side porch, external repairs and landscaping.

Inside, the modifications to the historic house are set to include the removal of some walls, an additional doorway into the new orangery, reconfiguration of the kitchen to form a kitchen diner, reallocation of rooms to create a games room and cinema room, reconfiguration of walls to create a dressing room and a larger ensuite and the conversion of a bedroom to a bathroom.

Outside, the new orangery is planned to sit at the back of the house leading off the kitchen, made of brickwork and timber framed glazing.

Existing single glazing is also to be upgraded, overgrown vegetation removed, and gutters will be replaced.

At the front of the house, the gravel driveway is proposed to be replaced with a resin bound driveway, and the existing metal gates modified to be sliding electric gates with additional planting along the mental fence for privacy.

A new paved patio area is also proposed for the rear of the house, which the pool is to be set within. Steps are to lead off the patio into the garden, which will have a central section of lawn and a large amount of dense vegetation.

Plans for the garden include the removal of a large yew tree “due to size and proximity and shading of house and garden”.

The plans attracted concern from a neighbour who believed the tree should be retained, due to the lack of trees on Westgate, climate change, the tree’s visibility from the pavement and other properties, and as a wildlife habitat.

The neighbour’s comment stated: “Other options should be explored before felling is considered. Yew tree's respond well to tree works that could reduce the crown to a manageable size that allows for more light.”

It also raised a further concern that the resin driveway may “spoil the aesthetic of the conservation area and Grade II listed building”.

Southwell Civic Society had no objections to the proposals.

Councillors supported the plans for the house, although Gina Adams echoed concerns about the removal of the tree.

She said: “I’m not happy with the felling of an ancient yew tree.

“It’s too good a tree to loose to put some sheds in.”

It was suggested that while the tree was not subject to a tree protection order, it had a level of protection due to its location in the conservation area.

Councillors agreed unanimously to support the proposal but ask for the tree to be retained.