Indoor swimming pool at Unit 3 Parkside Business Park, Parkside Road, Kendal

“SUMMARY 1.1 Retrospective planning permission is sought for the change of use of the existing industrial unit to an indoor swimming pool for private lessons and the installation of an air source heat pump. The proposed development does not accord with the acceptable uses within the Employment Land Allocations and Kendal Town Council raised an objection regarding insufficient information and therefore the application is reported to Planning Committee for a decision.”

“Various classes are offered with ratios of 1:1 up to 1:6. Pool parties are also available which have a maximum of 10 no. people in each session. The business operates 7 days a week from 8am until 9.30pm. During the school holidays, the business operates at reduced numbers due to the school term lessons breaking for holidays. The pool is run by [the applicant] UK and employs 4x part-time staff and 1x full time staff.”

“Final response 2 June 2025: Material Objections due to insufficient information having been provided on infrastructure around parking, lighting and safety of young children and the current opposition from Highways. The Committee, however, expresses favour with regard to the principle of this valuable local amenity. The Committee continues to express disappointment at the Retrospective nature of the application.”

“Members’ attention was drawn to photographs of the site, focussing on access, parking, the interior of the location and the neighbouring industrial units. Current floor plans were shown to set out the layout of the private swimming pool, changing rooms, showers and maintenance room.”

“Members recapped the site visit to explain the layout of the site and proximity to parking spaces allocated to the site. The Senior Planning Officer added that that there was a walkway for users of the Business Park and explained that pool party times were scheduled for less busy periods. She added that the site had been in operation since 2022, with no issues reported since then.”

“A motion to approve the application was moved and seconded.”

“RESOLVED, that planning permission be granted, subject to the following conditions:-”

“Condition (2) The use hereby approved shall operate in accordance with details set out in the Cover Letter received by the Local Planning Authority on 8th May 2025. The maximum approved swimming session size of 10 users shall include an 89 empty period before and after the session of 30 minutes or be buffered by the 1:1 and 1:2 lessons.”