A bespoke scuba diving training pool could be built in Knaresborough.
Tim Yarrow, owner of Harrogate-based DiveShack UK, is behind the plans. He told the Stray Ferret the facility would be something “unique” for the district.
Mr Yarrow, who has been a scuba instructor around the world for 30 years, wants to build a three to four-metre pool near Knaresborough Celtic FC in the south of the town.
Before covid, his company organised diving trips off Malta in the Mediterranean but says a local pool would enable divers to learn closer to home.
He also hopes to work with charities so people with disabilities can use the pool.
Mr Yarrow submitted plans for a pool in September but withdrew them last week following an objection from Knaresborough Town Council, which objected to the size of the building and said there was “no proven supporting need for this facility”.
A revised plan is expected to be submitted soon.
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Mr Yarrow told the Stray Ferret the covid pandemic had hit his business hard:
“We were getting a really good momentum going then covid hit and knocked us back.
“We’re very much reliant on taking people abroad and they want to learnt to dive as they are going on holiday, but people aren’t going on holidays so the diving industry has had a massive kick between the eyes.”
Despite the UK’s cold water, Mr Yarrow said it is still a fantastic place to dive.
“Yes it’s cold but we’re kitted out for it.
“Marine life around the coast is fantastic and I don’t think people realise how good it is. We have seals in the Farne Islands, Scotland’s marine protected areas and spectacular shipwrecks.”