New swimming pool coming to Preston suburb - offering lessons for 'every ability'

A new ‘swim school’ is set to open in suburban Preston.

Planning chiefs have given the go-ahead to the creation of a pool in a vacant shop unit in Aston-on-Ribble.

The venture will be based in the rear of a building at the junction of Blackpool Road and Abingdon Drive, whose main retail space is - and will remain - occupied by shoe specialists Wynsors.

Described as a “recreational and educational” facility, the business will offer “private and educational classes for swimmers of varying abilities, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). One-to-one lessons will also be available.

A proposal submitted on behalf of an unnamed applicant by planning agents Cassidy + Ashton stated that the aim of the venture was to “encourage users who are living in the local area to sign up for swimming classes, giving [an] opportunity to all ages and abilities to learn how to swim, train, engage in sensory sessions and exercise close to their local area”.

“[This is] important, not only for health and general wellbeing, but for socialising and learning an important life skill,” documents lodged with the town hall added.

Currently, the nearest swimming facilities are located in the city centre or Fulwood,

The Blackpool Road space will be reconfigured to allow for the development of a 10-metre-by-four-metre pool, changing and shower facilities, spectator seating, offices and a new glazed entrance.

Preston City Council gave the green light to the change after officials concluded that it would not have an unacceptable impact on nearby residents.

Nevertheless, three public objections were raised over the plans, with concerns including the potential for parking problems, traffic congestion and noise and disturbance resulting from customer arrivals and departures.

There are 23 parking spaces available for the wider site, which highways officers at Lancashire considered sufficient, since the swimming pool will cater for a maximum of six swimmers at any one time, together with a maximum of two staff members.

The facility will be permitted to operated between 8am and 10pm, seven days a week.