A NEW swimming pool will be built in a former Workington industrial unit, after plans were approved by Cumberland Council.

Plans were submitted in July for a 'proposed change of use from Industrial to Swimming Pool' in Unit 7 of Bessemer Court, Adams Road, Workington.

Splash Starz swim school decided to look for a permanent home for their schoolhas said that they hope to change the use of the building on order to run their swim school across West Cumbria.

After running the swim school for the last 18 months, the applicant decided to look for a permanent home for their school, choosing Workington as a central location, with customers from across West Cumbria.

After six months of searching for a venue, the applicant has said that they have decided on the current location as 'the owners of Bessemer Court have been extremely positive and the location has ample parking as we will only operate very small class sizes'. 

A design and access statement supporting the application said: “The purpose of the proposed change of use is to provide a modern facility variety of classes to local communities in the area including parent and baby lessons, children’s lessons, adult lessons, aqua aerobics classes, and hydro sessions for those who have suffered injuries/surgeries to assist with their recovery.

“We are currently a small swim school operator based in west Cumbria (Whitehaven) with over 150 children learning to swim with us each week and a waiting list approximately 12 months long we are currently very limited on pool access in the area.

“We currently have people travelling from as far away as Cockermouth, Maryport and multiple other locations due to a combination of the quality of service we supply and the lack of provision in the area.”

The swimming pool will be above ground and made of a steel shell that will be fixed to the ground, but easily removable. 

The applicant has said that the proposal delivers all key aspects of the Allerdale local plan, through providing economic, social and environmental benefits to Workington and the wider West Cumbria.

A design and access statement said: "Economically, the proposal will deliver local economy to Workington and the wider district. Socially, the proposal will deliver a much-needed community facility to this area which is currently under supplied.

"Environmentally, the proposal will also not result in any significantly impacts as it will operate as sustainably as possible."

The application was approved by Cumberland council’s planning department on October 2 subject to conditions.