Swimming pool fights to stay open after anti-social behaviour planning dispute

A private swimming pool in Ossett is seeking permission to continue operating, despite objections over anti-social behaviour.

Ossett Leisure Limited has applied retrospectively to change the use of a swimming pool at 67 Station Road from a private facility to a private hire swimming pool.

The application says that the change of use began in October 2023 and was completed in February 2024.

The proposal follows a previous planning application for a private pool hall with additional facilities, which was refused in May 2024.

A subsequent enforcement appeal decision was issued in March 2026, with the applicant now submitting a revised scheme aimed at addressing concerns raised during that process.

Planning documents submitted with the new application say changes have been made to reduce the impact of the business on the surrounding area.

These include limiting bookings to a maximum of eight people, introducing gaps between sessions to prevent groups arriving and leaving at the same time, reducing opening hours and removing amplified music.

A supporting planning statement says: "This application seeks to address the specific concerns identified by the Planning Inspector in upholding the enforcement notice."

The applicant’s highway statement argues that the revised operation would create fewer vehicle movements and says the site has sufficient parking within the grounds.

It says that the proposal would not rely on nearby on-street parking and that staggered bookings would prevent overlap between customers.

However, residents living nearby have continued to object, with concerns raised about parking, noise and disturbance.

One objector, writing on behalf of their 100-year-old mother who lives opposite the site, said: "How much more of this anti social behaviour does my mother have to endure."

They also claimed that customers regularly park on New Street and that noise from the facility has affected residents’ quality of life.

Another resident objected to the application, saying: "There is absolutely no way that eight cars can go in and out to park."

They also raised concerns about the opening hours and the effect on neighbouring homes.

A further objection stated: "The noise and disturbance that my mother has suffered continues."

The applicant’s documents argue that the revised plans are significantly different from the previous operation, with smaller groups, no amplified music and fewer hours of use.