By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporting Service
DROYLSDEN is in line to get a new swimming pool after plans to convert an empty retail unit in the town centre were approved.
And Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington is behind it.
What was Bright House, on Droylsden Retail Park, will be changed after Tameside Council’s planning department gave the go ahead, with a new pool a real possibility.
The town centre has been without one since the former baths were closed and demolished – there is one at Active Medlock.
But enthusiasm is high after public feedback contained messages telling how projects like this represent critical investment in the community and it will contribute positively to the area’s regeneration.
The authority was also told to prioritise applications which deliver tangible community benefits and enhance the vitality of local districts and how it supports the youth of Droylsden.
Documents backing the application for the pool – which will be operated by Swim!, which is owned by Rebecca and fellow Olympic medallist Steve Parry – detail what it will bring.
They state: “The proposal is to cater for swimming lessons for children by ensuring the provision of facilities that are accessible to the residential areas that it will serve.
“The proposal will support the enhancement of the vitality and viability of Droylsden District Centre by enabling existing commercial floorspace to be brought back into use for town centre purposes for a diversified purpose that will attract footfall to the centre.
“The benefits that arise from the proposal in terms of attraction to the District Centre to support its vitality and viability along with bringing back into use a very long-term vacant unit are clear, alongside the significant benefits of the proposed use that will promote health and well-being and social interaction.”
Planning bosses also backed the application for the unit, which has been empty for more than a decade.
They said: “The council will permit a diversity of uses which contribute to the overall appeal of the town centre, which helps to minimise the extent of empty properties and improve the appearance of the centre.
“It is considered that the proposed change of use to a swimming pool would not be unduly dominant so as to lead to an unacceptable change in the character of the town centre locality.
“In terms of any cumulative impact of the proposal, it is not considered that there would be an unacceptable change in the character of the area.
“It is considered that the proposal, with the introduction of a swimming pool use within the town centre, would contribute to the vitality, viability and overall appeal of Droylsden town centre.
“Leisure use is not uncommon in a town centre. Furthermore, it is considered that the proposed use would support and enhance the existing retail offer within the town centre as it could lead to an increase in the footfall within the area.
“It is also considered that the use would bring a former retail unit, which is currently vacant, back into a viable use, supporting the wider vitality of the town centre.”
As well as the pool, the site may also include changing rooms, a viewing lounge, a plant room, a reception are and an office/staff area.