FOI release

Residential Swimming Pool Planning Applications

This request was refused in full, so we didn't provide the information the requester asked for. This may include information where we can neither confirm nor deny that we hold it.

Case reference FOI2026/01651

Received 3 August 2026

Published 1 September 2026

Request

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to request information relating to planning applications for residential swimming pools within your local authority area.
For each of the following calendar years:

* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
* 2026 (year to date)

Please provide:

1. The total number of planning applications submitted for residential swimming pools.

2. The total number of applications approved/granted.

3. The total number of applications refused/rejected.

4. The total number of applications withdrawn (if recorded).

For the purposes of this request, please include applications relating to private residential swimming pools, including but not limited to applications where the description contains terms such as:

* "swimming pool"
* "outdoor swimming pool"
* "indoor swimming pool"
* "pool"
* "plunge pool"
* "lap pool"
* "swim spa"
* "pool enclosure"

and any other similar residential swimming pool developments associated with private dwellings.

Response

Thank you for your recent request under the Freedom of Information Act.

Please find the answers to your queries below:

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to request information relating to planning applications for residential swimming pools within your local authority area.
For each of the following calendar years:

* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
* 2026 (year to date)

Please provide:

1. The total number of planning applications submitted for residential swimming pools.

2. The total number of applications approved/granted.

3. The total number of applications refused/rejected.

4. The total number of applications withdrawn (if recorded).

For the purposes of this request, please include applications relating to private residential swimming pools, including but not limited to applications where the description contains terms such as:

* "swimming pool"
* "outdoor swimming pool"
* "indoor swimming pool"
* "pool"
* "plunge pool"
* "lap pool"
* "swim spa"
* "pool enclosure"

and any other similar residential swimming pool developments associated with private dwellings.

The information requested relates to planning application data which is publicly available via the Council’s online planning register:

https://www.guildford.gov.uk/article/24686/Search-for-information-about-a-planning-application

Applications can be searched by date range, application type, address/keyword and decision outcome. Decision notices are also available online and include the reasons for refusal where applicable.

As the requested information is accessible in the public domain, we would refer you to the Council’s online planning register to obtain the relevant data. As such, the information you require can be found from publicly available sources and consequentially under Section 21 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible.

Yours sincerely,

FOI Team

Guildford Borough Council

Documents

There are no documents for this release.

This is Guildford Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.

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