PLANS have been submitted to Durham County Council to change the use of a swimming pool from domestic to private hire for up to eight guests at a time.

The plans include internal alterations and creation of passing place on access track, at Firtree Farm, Bradbury.

The residential property known as Firtree Farm is located off the A689 near Sedgefield. The site is accessed from the A689 via a metalled track that serves the applicant’s home, known as Firtree Cottage, with attached swimming pool.

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The facility will be managed and staffed by the applicant and his partner, residents of Firtree Cottage.

The swimming pool will be available for hire through an online booking service for people to pre-book the swimming pool for an hour each time.

Clients will be allocated 15 minutes either side of the hour they have booked for changing in and out of swimwear.

The site is not situated within the green belt nor is it a Site of Special Scientific Interest or subject to any site specific environmental or landscape designation.