Now that’s what you’d call an extension

Published on 10/08/2012 01:54

THE COUPLE who became Britain’s biggest-ever Lottery winners are about to embark on a spot of home improvement at their luxury mansion.

But instead of a new kitchen or accent wall, Colin and Chris Weir, who won £161 million in July last year, have won planning permission to build an indoor swimming pool, spa room, greenhouses, Roman-style statues and a conservatory at their B-listed home in Largs, Ayrshire.

The four-bedroom house, which the couple bought for £850,000, sits in woodland overlooking the Firth of Clyde. It is shielded by a walled garden, complete with a stone gazebo and pond with a fountain.

The centrepiece of the improvement project is an opulent pool house at the rear of the property.

As well as the 12-metre pool, the Weirs are installing a jacuzzi, changing rooms with shower facilities, a plant room and an airing cupboard. The pool room will be connected to the main house through a new hallway lined with Roman-style ornamental statues.

The couple have also been given permission to build a semi-circular conservatory, featuring a balcony and large greenhouses with automatic lights and rain sensors.

The plans were approved by North Ayrshire Council’s planning committee after no objections were lodged.

Officials said the developments would be hidden from public view and would not impact on nearby properties or adversely affect the appearance of the area.

York-based firm Oak Leaf Conservatories has been hired to carry out the work.

Last night, Neil Baxter, secretary of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, said: “They [the Weirs] are going for a very traditional neo-Victorian pavilion style. People like different things and the Victorian style is elegant and historically appropriate.”

Mr Weir, 64, a former tele­vision cameraman, and his wife, who was a psychiatric nurse, became caught up in a political row last year after donating £1m to the SNP’s pro-independence campaign.

Labour accused the First Minister Alex Salmond of breaching the ministerial code after he invited the couple for tea at Bute House the day before they made the biggest donation in the party’s history.

Last month, the couple, who have supported a range of good causes, bought a new prosthetic limb for Kieran Maxwell, 13, who lost his leg through cancer.

They have also provided funding for racing driver Gregor Ramsay, 15, in his first season in the European and Italian Formula Three series and for tennis player Ross Tiree Wilson.

Mr Weir has also pledged £750,000 to Largs Thistle football club, to help it clear debts and improve facilities.