PLANNING permission has been granted for the refurbishment and extension of Wotton-under-Edge Swimming Pool.

Proposals were submitted to Stroud District Council in October for a veranda, with views looking out to Charfield, a new shelter and a roof extension as well as other smaller modifications and repairs.

The district council gave the go-ahead for the development on Tuesday and work on some of the smaller repairs will begin later this week.

Running costs of the pool are paid through council tax meaning that smaller repairs and jobs can begin immediately although the pool trustees are now applying for grants for the larger schemes, including the veranda extension.

Speaking to the Gazette, chairman of the trustees, Alan George said that the works would help to “secure the safety and longevity of the pool”.

“We had a meeting on Wednesday to discuss what we’re doing now that we have planning permission and thought we may as well get on with it straight away,”

“A lot of the work is urgently needed but other parts, like the veranda, will hopefully improve the experience for people using the pool.

“This will help secure the safety and longevity of the pool and will generally make it a nicer place to be.”