Wild Swimming Venue Seeks Car Park Expansion

New plans propose to more than double the parking capacity at a wild swimming location situated near York, in response to increasing demand. Pool Bridge Farm, located off the A19 south of York, has submitted an application for approval to construct a new visitor car park featuring 203 spaces, which would supersede the current 70-space facility. The planning application states that a “rapid increase in visitor numbers” has led to up to 700 individuals visiting the site daily on summer weekends. Until 2022, four out of the five lakes at the Crockey Hill farm were utilized for coarse fishing before being converted for wild swimming activities. This year, the venue has issued 400 annual memberships, in addition to between 150 and 200 monthly passes each month, as detailed in the planning application. During the summer, daily swim ticket sales ranged from 350 to 500, increasing to as many as 700 on weekends and during school holidays. The venue reported that the growing number of visitors “placed a strain on the supporting infrastructure at the farm.” It further stated, “However, the single biggest constraint on the continued evolution of the business is the level of car parking provision.” The venue emphasized that “The plans are a critical part of the business strategy for Pool Bridge Farm and will support the continued growth of this thriving rural enterprise.” The Local Democracy Reporting Service indicated that a field currently serving as an overflow car park, usable only in summer, is intended to become a permanent car park as part of these plans. The City of York Council will make the decision regarding this application.