Plans for pool to provide lessons to disabled people

The plans would see a vacant unit at Werdohl Business Park turned into a "pop-up pool"

Plans for a new pop-up pool to provide swimming lessons for disabled people have been submitted.

Swim Excellence is behind the proposals which would see a vacant unit at Werdohl Business Park in Consett, County Durham, turned into a swimming pool.

Rachelle Vipond, of the company, said a lack of available "private space" was among the reasons for looking into the project at the site, part of the Number One Industrial Estate.

The plans are due to be considered by Durham County Council later this year.

In documents submitted to the authority's planning department, Ms Vipond said the company had been providing private swimming coaching for all ages and abilities for a number of years.

She added: "The concept of ‘pop-up’ pools in locations offering smaller scale and more intimate swim coaching experiences is gaining popularity and the application site offers many advantages in terms of scale, location, and neighbouring uses."

Expensive rent

Nearby units are currently occupied by a children’s nursery and other businesses.

Up to four people would use the proposed pool at any one time, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A statement added renting existing pools was expensive and pool time was limited.

It added: "The proposed development will bring into use a vacant unit on the industrial estate which currently has a high level of vacancy and is located adjacent to the already approved children’s nursery.

"The use proposed would generate employment and have an economic and social benefit."