McCall Smith books plans for home spa

Published on Monday 6 March 2006 12:19

AUTHOR Alexander McCall Smith wants to build a hot tub in the garden of his £1m home in Merchiston.

The outdoor spa pool is one feature of recently-submitted plans to redevelop the Victorian property.

The creator of the best-selling No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is also seeking permission to knock down a garage, shed and greenhouse, tear up a driveway, build a new kitchen and garden room and convert an existing kitchen into a bedroom.

No objections have been received so far.

Robin Morris, secretary of Merchiston Community Council, said: "I cannot see a spa causing people too much strife as it will be well hidden."

Two years ago, fellow author JK Rowling, who lives nearby, got planning permission to install CCTV cameras outside her house, but was ordered not to film her neighbours.

A couple living next door had objected to the five-camera surveillance system, claiming they and visitors to their house would be viewed and recorded by the cameras.

The council approved the installation of the 50,000 security cameras, disguised as lamps, but said the Harry Potter author and her husband, Dr Neil Murray, must only monitor their own property.

And in 2002 neighbours again objected to Ms Rowling's proposals to install an electronic security gate and increase the height of the wall around the house to eight and a half feet.