PLANS for a new swimming pool and cafe in Ringwood have been submitted to New Forest District Council. 

Poole company, Bluefins Swimming Ltd, has submitted an application for a change of use at units at Parvaneh Park to allow for a swimming pool training centre with a cafe.

Plans will spread across two units with the swimming pool planned to be above-ground and able to hold a maximum capacity of eight people. 

On a planning statement, a spokesperson for Bluefins Swimming said: "The proposed use of the newly built space is a swim school, training academy for swim teachers and a small cafe with community space, across two units which reside next to one another.

"In addition, the little choice for good quality, affordable swim lessons in an area so close to the coast currently available, plus a national shortage of swim teachers due to a lack of available training, this idea should provide benefit to all."

Bluefin Swimming has suggested it would hold classes during weekdays over two sessions between 10am-12pm and 4-7pm and at weekends from 9am-12pm. 

Training courses for new swim teachers would be made available periodically for four weeks per year with a classroom space also to be created. 

The spokesperson said: "This classroom space would also be available for use by the community to run workshops aimed at encouraging a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing eg. baby groups, health & nutrition workshops and breastfeeding clinics.

"Also in unit 9, a small cafe, offering hot drinks, snacks and cold food, servicing the swim school clients and the local community."

Support has already been submitted for the plans with a belief the additional swimming facility would be beneficial to the area.

However, concern has been raised over parking with only six spaces so far allocated.

Ringwood resident, Catherine Cluett, said: "I feel the provision of an additional swimming facility serving the local area would be beneficial to the community.

"The only concern is in relation to parking provision, particularly with the intended dual community uses.

"The site is however close to local cycle and pedestrian routes (including those linking to the Town centre) and I would hope that would encourage travel to the facility by means other than private car."