New swimming pool plans approved for Lancashire retreat in Mellor

Everything Retreat, in Primrose Lane, Mellor, submitted plans to Ribble Valley Borough Council with the objective to improve the “quality, functionality and operational efficiency of the existing facilities”.

The holiday lodge complex said it has gone from “strength to strength” and said that the current offering to guests will be improved by the development.

A planning statement said: “The site is regularly booked for mid-week group retreats when all facilities and lodges will be used across a number of days, and groups can experience various wellness activities throughout each day based on a specific itinerary.

“At present, the multi-purpose room has to function as a dining room, meeting room, and yoga studio, requiring staff to fully remove furniture between each activity. This is both highly inefficient and labour-intensive for the team. It is also restrictive and limits how the business can operate. 

“The applicant hopes to extend the current building to maintain designated spaces to eat, have a meeting, or exercise. This will prevent having to re-purpose the same space several times throughout the day.”

Within the proposals, the applicant has looked to demolish the existing stable block and replace it with an extension, which includes a larger kitchen, storage and housekeeping spaces, staff room, and staff toilet.

The proposal says that the retreat experiences high demand to provide on-site treatments, which are currently being carried out in a holiday lodge, preventing it from being rented out.

The planning statement added: “Being a wellness retreat and not being able to offer on-site treatments is a significant disadvantage to the retreat, with guests wanting to experience a variety of wellness experiences without leaving the retreat.

“An outdoor swimming pool is also proposed as part of the wellness offering. This facility is intended for use exclusively by existing retreat guests, providing prebooked natural water swimming sessions and therapies.

“Proposed landscaping will enhance the setting of the pool whilst providing additional screening, seamlessly integrating with the rural landscape.”

In addition, the development is said to offer clear economic and social benefits by strengthening the business.

Ribble Valley Borough Council approved the plans, with 14 conditions.

These include that the facilities should only be used for people staying at the holiday lodges and that it should be used between 8am and 10pm.