Man told to close private swimming pool business

A swimming pool business run from a private home has been ordered to close down.

Business owner Jon Gardiner lost his appeal against Wakefield Council's decision to refuse planning permission for the facility over noise and traffic safety concerns.

The council had rejected his proposal in May 2024 despite it having the support of more than 170 people.

A planning inspector concluded the development was "harmful" to the occupants of nearby properties.

Gardiner had said he would challenge the decision after 700 residents signed a petition backing his campaign to remain open.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service in 2024, he described the council's decision to reject his application as "appalling" in the context of nationwide closures of council-run public pools.

"They have not done their due diligence, they have categorically made an unruly decision.

"They are taking resources away and if anyone tries to replace them privately they reject it."

His Ossett Leisure business, based at a detached bungalow on Station Road, had been welcoming up to 1,000 swimmers a month, including schools, children's parties and disability groups, in its first five months of operations.

Gardiner also appealed to the government's Planning Inspectorate after the council issued an enforcement notice which alleged a breach of planning controls and ordered him to stop hiring out the pool, as well as gym, sauna and spa facilities.

The appeal was dismissed and the enforcement notice upheld after a planning inspector visited the site in February this year.

The inspector's report said: "I conclude that the development is harmful to the living conditions of the occupants of nearby residential properties with particular reference to noise and disturbance."

The document said there were "noise sensitive" facilities near to the site, including sheltered housing and retirement homes.

Gardiner submitted a noise impact assessment as part of his legal argument which stated that any noise generated by the business was "so low that it cannot be distinguished from the general background environment".

The inspector said: "I do not dispute the findings of the noise assessment but, in my judgement and based on the experience of local residents, there is evidence of increased levels of noise and disturbance from the use which is detrimental to living conditions."

The report also said the scheme had "potential for a number of issues relating to highway safety".

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