New therapy pool at Poole centre for disabled adults

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Plans have been approved for a new “life-changing” therapy pool for adults with disabilities.

Diverse Abilities has gained planning permission for the brand-new hydrotherapy pool complex in Poole.

It is due to be built at the Beehive Adult Centre in Manor Avenue as part of the charity’s £1m Splash Appeal.

The Beehive acts as a base for 50 adults with conditions including Cerebral Palsy, epilepsy, chromosomal disorders, undiagnosed syndromes and profound and multiple learning disabilities.

While Diverse Abilities already provides hydrotherapy for children at its specialist school in Poole, it does not currently have these facilities at the centre for adults.

Without a therapy pool, the charity says it is “unable to meet the increasingly complex needs” of adults with profound disabilities.

Planning permission for a pool complex at the Beehive was obtained in 2015, but Diverse Abilities’ continued research into the benefits of hydrotherapy resulted in a re-think on the design.

Its latest application was supported by Bournemouth-based Ken Parke Planning Consultants (KPPC) and Poole-based David James Architects.

Ken Parke, managing director at KPPC, said: “The hydrotherapy pool promises to provide life-changing water-based therapy for many of the adults supported by Diverse Abilities.

“Research has shown that one of the greatest issues for people with mobility impairments is the weight of gravity taking its toll on those who spend a great deal of time in a chair or bed, especially in terms of pain and well-being.

“The pool will be a fantastic asset for the charity to provide much-needed treatment and will give people the opportunity to enjoy the feeling of being free and relaxed while having fun at the same time."

The application was approved by BCP Council planning officers, who said the development would "enhance an existing community facility". 

A spokesperson for Diverse Abilities said: “We are incredibly grateful to David James Architects, Ken Parke Planning Consultants and Kube Visuals for their generous support of this project and bringing the charity a step closer to realising this vital new facility.”