Billionaires - The Inside Source: Billionaire Vacuum Inventor Dyson In Trouble

Billionaire Sir James Dyson is in trouble after building a #luxury swimming pool in the basement of his $22.3 million Grade I-listed country mansion without the local planning committee's permission.
The self-made #billionaire, inventor of the bag-less vacuum cleaner, has been caught more than four years after the work was completed and may now have to rip it up or face an fine that courts could impose for any amount or even prison.

Inspectors were sent to his 600-acre Dodington Estate in Gloucestershire, England after being tipped off that he had installed the pool at an estimated cost of $1.1 million under the 18th century Georgian manor house.

The 51 room #mansion, noted for its ‘exceptional architectural and historic interest’, was bought by the couple for a reported $22 million in 2003. The inventor, who is worth $5.5 billion, employed contractors in January 2011 to install the basement pool, complete with changing rooms. Experts have said the extensive work, which took 12 months to complete, could have cost upwards of $1.1 million, including the marble and a water treatment - ventilation system to stop the house smelling of chlorine.

However, the Dyson's did not apply for planning permission. In June, South Gloucestershire Council received a complaint about the alterations and sent round planning enforcement officers. Historic England says it is an offense to carry out works on listed buildings without consent. Anyone found guilty could also be liable to an unlimited fine and a maximum of two years in prison if the local authority decides to prosecute. Authorities are still investigating and deciding what to do.

The Dyson's have no comment yet.

Here is the billionaires' estate that is under investigation in Gloucestershire, England.