More than 80 Horsham pool plans recorded as record summer puts outdoor living in focus
Horsham District Council has recorded more than 80 planning applications for residential swimming pools since 2021, new figures show.
Data obtained through an Environmental Information Regulations request by natural stone supplier Stoneworld shows that Horsham District Council recorded 83 residential swimming pool planning applications between 2021 and 2026 to date.
Of these, 64 were permitted, four were refused, nine were withdrawn, three were returned, two were pending and one had a split decision.
Applications were highest in 2024, when Horsham District Council recorded 20 submissions and permitted 16 of them.
The council recorded 18 applications in 2021, seven in 2022, 19 in 2023, 10 in 2025 and nine in 2026 at the time of the response.
The figures come after the UK experienced its hottest summer on record, with provisional Met Office data putting the season’s mean temperature at 16.5°C.
While the applications were submitted over several years, the record-breaking summer adds fresh context to how homeowners are thinking about gardens, shade, cooling and outdoor living as warmer summers become more familiar.
Ellie Parker, natural stone expert at Stoneworld, said: “The number of applications recorded in Horsham shows that residential swimming pools are not confined to a handful of exceptional projects. For some homeowners, they are becoming part of a broader investment in how they use their property during warmer months.
“Anyone considering a pool needs to think beyond the water itself. The surface around it will affect how the area performs in wet conditions, how comfortable it is to move around safely, and how well the finished design works day to day.
“Material choices should be considered early in the project, alongside the pool’s position, drainage and access. Making these decisions at the design stage can help homeowners avoid practical issues later and create a finish that feels properly considered.”