RORY McIlroy has landed in hot water with council officials over plans to heat a huge outdoor pool at his £9million mansion.
The Northern Irish golfer’s luxury pad boasts a massive 44ft-long party and entertainment room, cinema, gym, indoor pool and spa – next door to a golf course.
Now he wants to splash out on a 50x16ft heated outdoor pool with a terrace, plant room and external lighting, powered by an air source heat pump.
He already has five pumps for his lavish home in Wentworth, Surrey.
The property boasts a grand entrance hall, six reception rooms, double aspect drawing room, family room, breakfast room, snug, study and office.
Mcllroy, 35, has applied for planning permission for another “modest” pump and has pleaded “very special circumstances” as his home lies in a designated green belt area.
Council policy states that “when located in the green belt, elements of many renewable energy projects will comprise inappropriate development.
“In such cases, developers will need to demonstrate very special circumstances if projects are to proceed.”
The proposed pump would be housed in a 6ft-high timber enclosure towards the southern boundary of the property, on the exclusive Wentworth estate.
In a justification statement, Mcllroy’s planning agent said: “The heat pump requires permission in view of the fact that the site already has heat pumps located towards the northern boundary.
“The substantial landscaping on the site ensures that the pump will not be visible from the road.
“The wider environmental benefits associated with increased production of energy from renewable sources using the air source heat pump, constitutes a very special circumstance which justifies the air source heat pump in the green belt.”
Mcllroy and wife Erica Stoll were previously given the go-ahead for an outdoor pool with a basement plant room, and a play centre for four-year-old daughter Poppy.
But he then submitted revised plans for detached plant room above ground and was granted a Certificate of Lawful Development by Runnymede Council.
A decision on the heat pump is expected in January and there have so far been no objections from neighbours or environmental health officers about noise.
McIlroy’s representatives were contacted by The Sun and declined to comment.
Other famous residents who live nearby include former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, ex-cricketer Kevin Pietersen and fitness guru Joe Wicks.
Mcllroy turned professional in 2007 and went on to win the US Open in 2011, the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, and The Open Championship in 2014.
He also owns a 12,800 sq.ft mansion in Florida, a sprawling mansion in La Quinta, California, and a 200-acre 19th Century pad with a golf course, lake and tennis court in County Down.
It comes after McIlroy was reduced to tears after matching Seve Ballesteros’ tally of Race to Dubai titles.
The 35-year-old held off Rasmus Hojgaard’s challenge to win the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November.
This triumph sealed the Northern Irishman’s third Race to Dubai title in a row, and sixth overall.
Following his remarkable achievement, it was pointed out to McIlroy that his tally now matches that of the late Ballesteros, who passed away in 2011 aged 54.
McIlroy first won the Race to Dubai in 2012, before adding further triumphs in 2014 and 2015, prior to his current three-in-a-row haul.
McIlroy is now just two behind Colin Montgomerie‘s overall record of eight race to Dubai titles.
By Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy spent more than 100 weeks at World No1 – and has scooped four Majors and won 40 tournaments in all SO FAR.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched his feat of winning one of the big four by the age of 25.
And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Ireland ace added the PGA Championship the following year – adding the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here’s a rundown on the glittering career of the 35-year-old, five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV tour:
Turned professional in September.
Became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.
Made a winning Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to reach $10m earnings on the PGA Tour.
But won his first major the following month – the US Open.
Named Sports Person of the year by RTE – Ireland’s main broadcaster.
Named PGA Tour player of the year and picked up more Ryder Cup glory.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
Then clinched back-to-back PGA crowns, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Person of the year for a second time.
Again helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
Suffered Ryder Cup defeat.
But gained top 10 finishes at the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80m endorsement deal with TaylorMade.
But then won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.
