Christian Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell have submitted plans to build a swimming pool at their Grade II-listed mansion, can exclusively reveal today.
Planning documents show the Spice Girl and F1 Red Bull boss have applied to install the pool in their garden, alongside new decorative planting and a heat pump to keep the water warm.
In the documents, the couple say the works to the historic family home are being done in an effort to modernise the grounds – as they hope to ‘enhance’ its ‘unique character’.
The 40ft by 16ft pool complete with a fountain, topiary, sunbeds and a 6ft-deep end alongside their greenhouse and to the side of the main home, the plans show.
Many of the documents were submitted on January 2 – days after Horner was named in the New Years List for services to Motor Sport following another victorious season at Red Bull.
Christian Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell have submitted plans to build a swimming pool at their Grade II-listed mansion, can exclusively reveal today
The Spice Girl and F1 Red Bull boss are looking to add the water feature alongside new decorative planting and a heat pump to keep the water warm
The 40ft by 16ft pool complete with a fountain, topiary, sunbeds and a 6ft-deep end alongside their greenhouse and to the side of the main home
Plans of the existing gardens show topiary and vegetable patches where the pool would be put in
But its position in the existing 18th century vegetable garden has been criticised by heritage experts due to a ‘high chance of buried remains’ being found during the excavation.
While Senior Conservation Officer Mandy Lumb said the proposal would not affect the listed building, she said: ‘Given the excavation will be in close proximity to the existing house and potentially over remains of the former house there is a high chance of buried remains; the advice of the Archaeological Advisor should be sought on this matter.’
She added that the outbuilding, where the plant is set to be housed, should be repaired as part of the plans.
And she criticised the Horners for not applying for planning permission for a brick wall and a series of covered seating areas, which she deems ‘unauthorised’ unless the couple can get permission.
It comes just a year after the couple applied to expand their mansion with a whole new floor as the planning application stating they need more room for their ‘growing family.’
The singer – formerly Geri Halliwell, 50, had daughter Bluebell, 16, with screenwriter Sacha Gervasi in 2005. Christian shares a daughter, Olivia, eight, with his ex-partner Beverley Allen. The Horners also have a five-year-old son Montague together.
The mansion already has five bedrooms, with one each for the couple and the three children they have between them, alongside a spare bedroom.
The latest application also includes plans to revitalise the celebrity duo’s stunning walled garden – retaining the existing topiary where possible but adding a new vegetable and rose garden complete with tree arches.
In documents submitted by Horner the couple say the works to the historic family home are being done in an effort to modernise the grounds – as they hope to ‘enhance’ its ‘unique character’
It comes just a year after the couple applied to expand their mansion with a whole new floor as the planning application stating they need more room for their ‘growing family.’ Pictured: At the launch of Geri Halliwell-Horner’s new book in October
Maps show areas of the garden mapped out for raised beds, an apple or rose walk, vegetable growing and even a fruit cage.
Other planned details include a bespoke bullnose paving surround for the pool, an outside shower and storage for the cushions on their sunbeds.
The couple’s design and access statement says: ‘The primary objective of this proposal is to introduce an outdoor swimming pool that complements the existing property, providing a functional and aesthetically pleasing addition to the rear garden.
‘The proposal seeks to rejuvenate the current walled garden with the existing topiary and design axis informing the character and design of the new layout.
‘The existing greenhouse, and a small stone outbuilding will be preserved, and incorporated into the proposal.’
They continued: ‘We believe the proposed swimming pool and associated landscaping will provide new purpose and focus to the walled garden in a manner which is sensitive and appropriate to the character and setting of the property.
The former pop star and racing boss have been revamping their pad over the last few year, with a replacement to their glasshouse and conversion of the dovecote also up for planning permission in 2022.
The new west wing extension would have sat above what would have been the servants’ wing, which was built in 1840.
The mansion already has five bedrooms, with one each for the couple and the three children they have between them, alongside a spare bedroom
The former pop star and racing boss have been revamping their pad over the last few year, with a replacement to their glasshouse and conversion of the dovecote also up for planning permission in 2022
Alongside a huge lawn, the Horners’ house boasts two kitchen gardens, two paved terraces and stables.
The house features a large oval dining room, a room-sized safe, an orangery, a huge wood-panelled study and a conservatory.
Upstairs there are currently five bedrooms, four of which have en suites.
The couple have previously been slammed by locals as they sought part retrospective planning permission after replacing their barn.
They also changed the use of the barn to agricultural and equestrian use.
One neighbour said: ‘The advent of a mezzanine floor has clearly increased the height and pitch of the roof, although not the footprint of the building.
‘The overhead image shows that the new metal roof is now very light in colour and thus, with increased pitch, has become far more visually prominent.
‘Had a planning application been submitted prior to the rebuild we would have commented and requested that consideration be given to the dominant appearance of the barn.
‘We would have requested that the barn be no larger than the barn it was to replace and the roofing material to be used should be less visually intrusive.
‘We hope therefore that now the barn has been built retrospective action can be immediately taken to partially screen the barn and the incongruous industrial-looking roof through the planting of and subsequent maintenance of large suitably located and fast growing native trees.’
Crime Prevention Design Advisor Sharon Henley of Towcester Police added: ‘The applicant has not provided any information on crime prevention measures to reduce opportunities for theft of machinery or of equestrian related items presumably stored in the stores shown on the plan.
‘Horse related equipment is very attractive to thieves and measures should be put in place to reduce opportunities for burglary.’
In May the globe-trotting couple had their first horse-racing win, with a steed named after the Spice Girls’ 1999 No 1 single – Two Become Won.
The six-year-old gelding pocketed £175 in winnings at a point-to-point race at Mollington racecourse, near Banbury, Oxon.