A BARRY couple have set out their ambitions to build a hydrotherapy pool on a plot of land by Ty-Newydd Road and Woodlands Road.

Craig O’Shea, his wife Natalie and their business partner Sarah Moignard plan to run swimming lessons for disabled people, children and adults with learning difficulties at the site.

The couple, who bought the land for £100,000 at a public auction, already run swimming classes from Bryn Hafren school, Hebron Hall in Dinas Powys and the Virgin Active Health Club in Cardiff as part of their company Splash Swim School.

It is hoped that the land, which became overgrown after it was declared surplus in 2004, will become a base for all of of the swim school classes.

Under their plans, the 15mx7m pool would have a maximum depth of 1.2m. The building would be on the lowest part of the site, to minimise any obstruction of views to surrounding houses.

Mum-of-three Natalie, of Barry Island, said: "We are aiming to create a centre to provide a hydrotherapy pool ideal for parent and baby groups and early learn-to-swim lessons.

"We also aim to provide rehab and treatment sessions for adults and children suffering from a variety of pathologies and disabilities including back pain, arthritis, cerebral palsy and other limiting and painful conditions."

Natalie, a qualified physio who runs their existing classes with Sarah Moignard, added: "Hydrotherapy has long been used to help individuals experience movement without pain.

"Having worked as a physiotherapist within Cardiff and the Vale I have met and treated a number of individuals where the opportunity to access a warm pool would have benefited or enhanced their quality of life.

"As it stands there is no such facility in the Vale."

Husband Craig, who also runs O’Shea’s Takeaway and Restaurant on Barry Island, added: "We have been looking for about two years for a suitable site to build the swim school and when we saw this in the paper, thought it was ideal."

The land at Ty-Newydd Road was originally the site of Woodlands House, the council offices for the Parks and Leisure Department until it relocated to the newly-constructed Civic Offices in the early 1980s.

The site later became a children's play area but started to suffer from anti-social behaviour problems and play equipment reaching the end of its economic life. With the redevelopment of Central Park, the site was declared surplus and closed in 2004.

Craig, 40, said: "We will try for planning permission, and hope to get funding as it's going to be an expensive development.

"We will clear the site and then the architects will start work, before we can apply for grants.

"We are looking at grants through Sport Wales and they have been quite enthusiastic," he added.

"We also hope local businesses will get involved – as it’s a community project."

Natalie, 32, added: "We are so excited about turning this long neglected land into an amenity for the whole community.

"At present we are still creating plans for this site and would welcome any feedback from local businesses interested in this project."

For more information email natalie@splashswimschool.co.uk or visit www.splashswimschool.co.uk