Cornwall Set To Get 'World's Deepest Pool'
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Fancy a deep dive, but not too fond on swimming in open waters? Well, Cornwall may have you covered, as planning permission has been requested to build what could be the world's deepest pool.
The £150 million project would see an aquatic centre housing a 50 metre deep pool built at the Aerohub Enterprise Zone at Cornwall Airport in Newquay.
But before you pack your swimming costume and plan to do a (very) deep bomb off the side, the pool is primarily going to be used for sea and space research.
It is thought the pool will help advance subsea robotics, and be vital in training astronauts in the future.
The project is being funded by 'Blue Abyss', who is currently applying for planning permission for the big pool.
To help you get a grip on just how massive the pool is, here's some comparisons: If the 40m x 50m area is approved, it would hold enough water to fill 17 Olympic-size swimming pools. It would occupy a 10 acre site and would have a sliding roof, so that the 30-tonne crane inside would be able to put extremely heavy and large objects into the water.
Blue Abyss is also hoping the giant pool could also be used as a film set for any underwater scenes.
John Vickers, who is chief executive of Blue Abyss came up with the project, which he has described as "globally unique" and will have a "wide range" of potential uses.
"Blue Abyss will be a huge research asset for aerospace, offshore energy, underwater robotics, human physiology, defence, leisure and marine industries, and a fantastic education centre for children and university students," he said.
Astronaut Tim Peake has also backed the plans.
"This project will join Goonhilly Earth Station and Spaceport Cornwall as significant national assets... helping to widen our knowledge of how humans and technology can function in extreme environments, for the benefit of people and the planet," he said.
Should the proposals go ahead, the pool could create 160 jobs and generate £8m annually for the local economy.