Exciting plans for a disused reservoir near Bradford

Yorkshire Swim Works CIC has announced proposals for a 50m naturally-filtered pool at Kettlewell Reservoir and is seeking public consultation

Yorkshire Swim Works CIC has undertaken preliminary feasibility work on the Kettlewell Reservoir on the Bingley St Ives Estate. YSW CIC are in talks with Bradford Council the landowners and are now seeking public consultation on the proposed plan that would see a naturally-filtered outdoor swimming pool constructed within the surroundings of the disused reservoir.

The project, which will be funded and run by Yorkshire Swim Works CIC, would deliver an accessible, inclusive safe swimming facility hidden in the existing reservoir. Naturally filtered, the pool would feature 6 lanes of 50m for swimming and aqua classes and a large lake area for dipping, splashing, swimming and more. Additional buildings will host saunas, open rooms for classes such as yoga and pilates and the reception and changing rooms. Early concept drawings have been released for public consumption.

Local opportunities

Expected to attract £5m in social and private investment, the project would see the creation of 20+ full time permanent jobs, 25+ part time permanent jobs and 100+ summer part time jobs. YSW CIC are predicting over 100,000 swims a year plus over 5,000 visitors to the area to stay in the attached lodges bringing tourist spend of over £2.45m.

Yorkshire Swim Works conducted a customer survey over two months that collected 2395 responses of which 97.3% were positive and 90% had been to the St Ives Country Park. Results from the survey will help inform the demand and support for the project and whether to pursue the opportunity further with paid surveys of the site and specialist planning advice.

Beautiful setting

The Grade II Listed estate is a much loved countryside park attracting thousands of visitors from the local community and outside of the district. The large play area is particularly popular with families and school parties and has recently benefited from a £200,000 refurbishment. The park has huge potential and there are now opportunities to secure funding to continue the work started with the play area, with the restoration of the 19th-century buildings and gardens, as well as regaining its former Green Flag status.

Caroline Kindy, founder of Yorkshire Swim Works CIC said: “We will be looking to work with the public and the existing tenants and stakeholders of the St Ives Estate to ensure that Yorkshire Swim Works benefits the entire community in a wider regeneration of the Estate.”

Kersten England, Chair of the UK City of Culture in 2025 said: “It’s really exciting to see proposals to reopen Kettlewell reservoir on Bingley’s St Ives Estate as an open air swimming and leisure facility come forward. We know how vital physical activity is for mental and physical health and well-being. We know outdoor swimming is increasingly popular. And as Chair of the UK City of Culture in 2025 I hope this facility will be enjoyed by Bradford District’s families and communities in the coming years – a place to come together, to play together and to create stories and memories that last a lifetime.”

To find out more about the project, visit yorkshireswimworks.com