Garden room and swimming pool at 55 Chalkwell Esplanade, Westcliff-on-Sea

“Planning permission is sought to erect an outbuilding and an open swimming pool to the rear. The proposed outbuilding is described for use as a garden room/pool house.”

“The proposed outbuilding would be flat roofed, slightly L-shaped in layout and up to some 7.7m deep, 7m wide and 3m high. The outbuilding would have doors to the front and to both side elevations. It would be set some 1.05m from the rear boundary, some 1.05m from the eastern side boundary and some 1m from the western side boundary of the site. A pump room for the proposed swimming pool, changing rooms, a sauna and garden room are proposed within the outbuilding.”

“The application site contains a large, detached two-storey dwelling on the northern side of Chalkwell Esplanade. The surrounding area is generally characterised by residential development, comprising mainly large houses. To the south of the site is the estuary foreshore and promenade. There are several mature trees within the rear garden and in neighbouring rear gardens, none of which are protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).”

“The site is within Flood Zones 2 and 3 and Seafront Character Zone 4 as defined by Policy DM6 within the Development Management Document’s Policies Map.”

“There are historic permissions at the site for extensions and alterations to the main dwelling, none of which are materially relevant to the assessment of this application.”

“Trees Officer 4.2 No objection. The Willow tree to be removed is in the area where the proposed pool would be built. However, the tree survey has identified a large cavity at the crown break of this tree which is visible on photographs. Willow trees are not effective at defending against decay and are also short-lived trees. For these reasons it would not be recommended to protect and retain this tree.”

“Overall, this is a thorough report covering the garden trees at this address and there is no objection to the proposal to remove the Willow tree (T3).”

“Public Consultation 4.1 Nine (9) neighbouring properties were notified of the application by letter and a site notice was displayed. Two (2) representations have been received. Summary of representations:”

“Residential amenity concerns including overbearing impacts and noise. • Concerns over the proximity of the proposal to neighbouring properties. • Concerns over the height of the proposal. • Concerns over impacts to neighbouring trees.”

“The roof of the development hereby approved shall not be used as a balcony, roof garden or terrace or for any other purpose at any time without planning permission having been granted. The roof can however be used for the purposes of maintenance or to escape in the event of an emergency.”

“The development hereby approved shall be undertaken in full accordance with the approved plan no. 02-SLP Rev B and the ‘Specification for Soft Landscape Works and 5 Year Management Plan Ref. OS 3238-25-Doc2’ by Open Spaces [dated 14.10.2025] including the planting of two (2) Liquidambar styraciflua trees or alternative soft landscaping details which shall have previously been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority under the terms of this…”