A Cromwell doctor and his wife who said fencing their swimming pool would spoil their view and detract from their new home had their request for an exemption declined yesterday.
The Central Otago District Council considered an application from David and Susan Beaumont for an exemption from the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act.
The Beaumonts said in their application they were building a home and pool and could secure the facility with an automatic pool cover.
They would also place an alarm on one of the doors into the pool area, they said.
A pool fence would "obliterate" their view of the lake and detract from their new home, they said.
However, council planning manager Louise van der Voort said the pool failed to meet the requirements for an special exemption.
"A number of doors of the house will have access to the pool," she said.
In addition, the pool cover had to be operated manually.
"This in no way comes near meeting the requirements [for an exemption]," Central Otago Mayor Malcolm Macpherson said, adding children visiting the property would be at risk.
