PLANS to open a swimming pool at a nursery in Accrington have been unveiled.

Lorraine McCowan has applied for planning permission for a private pool at Marshmallows Nursery in Nuttall Street, which is at the heart of the multi-million pound Woodnook regeneration scheme.

Eight members of staff would work at the facility, which would be open from 8am until 9pm seven days a week and used for teaching and for private events.

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In a design and access statement lodged with the council, Walsh Architects said: “The site, currently partly vacant, is adjacent to, and for purposes of this application also includes for parking provision and access, Marshmallows Nursery and has not been in use for some time.”

The building, to be called Little Pool Swimming Pool, would measure around 347 square metres and would be built with a low pitch roof with the eaves to the south.

The buildings would have coloured stone walls, aluminium and PVC windows, and powder-coated aluminium doors.

Nine new car parking spaces, an extra disabled spot, and four spaces for bicycles are also planned.

The 2,208 sq m site has previously had planning permission granted for multi-storey residential use, and was in 2011 granted planning permission for a pool.

Lorraine McCowan, who runs the nursery, said in a statement: “I think it will be good for the borough and the whole community.”

The council’s leisure boss, Cllr Ken Moss, said: “It’s a very positive move .

“As long as the safety standards are up to specification it’s a good thing.”

Council planning officers will examine the documents, along with correspondence related to the application, before making their final decision.