Billionaire Tycoon Sir James Dyson In Hot Water Over Basement Swimming Pool

Billionaire Sir James Dyson may have landed himself in trouble after building a basement swimming pool at his country estate without planning permission.

The vacuum cleaner creator reportedly had the lavish leisure facilities installed beneath the orangery of Grade I Listed Dodington Park in 2011 without the correct planning permission - an offence potentially punishable by two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

Sir James, 69, has now submitted a retrospective planning application to South Gloucestershire Council, which is expected to make a decision in the next month.

Country mansion - Sir James bought Dodington House in 2003 (Pictures: SWNS)

The council reportedly received a complaint about the pool in June and sent planning enforcement officers to the estate.

A spokesperson said: “If permission is refused, the council will need to consider what action to take in order to mitigate the effect of the unauthorised works. It is too early to speculate on what action might be taken.”

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The 51-room Dodington House and its attached orangery and church, which Sir James and wife Deirdre bought for around £20m in 2003, are all Grade I listed.

The 300-acre Georgian estate, built in the early 19th century by James Wyatt, is recognised as being of “exceptional architectural and historic interest”.

History - Dodington House is regarded as being of “exceptional architectural and historic interest”

The swimming pool, which is 1.4-metres deep and 2.4-metres wide, is reportedly lined with Carrara marble and fed from one end by a stone fountain.

It was excavated into the concrete floor of the basement, which had previously been used as a cafe and restaurant when the estate was open to the public.

Assessment - Historic England is believed to be arranging to visit the estate

According to Historic England, it is a criminal offence to carry out works on listed buildings without consent unless it is urgently necessary on the grounds of health and safety or for the preservation of the building.

A spokesperson for the organisation, which is believed to be arranging a visit to the estate, said: “We are working closely with the local conservation office to better understand and assess the changes that have taken place.”

Sir James’ Wiltshire-based company, famous for its bagless vacuums, employs more than 7,000 people around the world and turned over £1.4bn in 2014, with profits of £367m.

The Dyson family have not commented so far.