Plans by a homeowner to build an underground swimming pool complete with a gym have been given the go-ahead, despite neighbours' objections.

Isabelle Honeyman of The Dell, Woodford Green, applied to the council for the extension.

Neighbours objected on the grounds that the extension on the already extended home would lead to further cases of overdevelopment.

They also raised concerns that there was a risk of seepage or flooding from the pool into neighbouring gardens if the drainage was not able to cope.

The decision to approve the pool was given on Wednesday at a meeting of the council's regional planning west committee.

Cllr Paul Canal said: "The objections that were raised can be addressed through strict building controls.

"We felt an underground swimming pool is not a visual intrusion to anyone."