AN Olympic training pool for Kelly College and the Tavistock community has jumped two major hurdles with the granting of planning permission and confirmation of final approval from the Government.

With just over a week to go to the Olympics, excitement is building over the hope that this £3.4-million legacy of London 2012 could be the training ground of future Olympians as soon as 2014.

For project leaders it was was the news they had been waiting for and follows information earlier this year that Kelly was the preferred bidder for one of the three ten-lane, 50-metre training pools, which would become surplus to requirements once the games were over.

Headmaster Graham Hawley, who said back in January this was a 'once in a lifetime opportunity', told the Times: 'I am delighted that the project is progressing so well and this is testament to the quality of the bid and the hard work of the team involved.

'Planning permission and ministerial approval of the project were key hurdles to clear and both have come at just the right time.

'We will now use the momentum and excitement of the Olympics to help raise funds for building the pool. This news makes the success of the project tangible; there is still very much more to do, yet success feels very much closer.'

Director of swimming Robin Brew said: 'This project will have a profound and significant impact on Kelly College, the local community and the regional and national swimming communities.'

He said Kelly and Tavistock were very proud of their Olympic heritage — silver medallist Sharron Davies trained at the school and Olympic silver medallist Heather Fell was a former pupil.

'This exciting news allows us to continue our world class development on a sure footing and to build on our reputation leading into the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and the Olympics Games in 2016.

'At a local level the new facility will greatly enhance opportunities for families, schools, clubs and organisations for generations to come.

'The support we have had for this project has been overwhelming and my sincere thanks go to our project team, the local authorities, the headmaster and the governors of the school who have played an important part in turning our dreams into reality.'

Once the Olympics are over arrangements will be made to dismantle the pool and relocate it to Tavistock. It is anticipated the build will start at Easter 2013 and take a year.

Project manager Paul Birchell said the next steps would be 'challenging and ambitious' but he was confident the money could be found for installing the pool.

'Most serious competitions are held in a 50m pool and not having that length of pool at the moment is a major drawback. I am hugely excited and very relieved we have got this far — there is nothing that will stand in our way now.'

A spokesman for West Devon Borough Council said a full planning application to demolish a metal clad workshop and erect an Olympic Legacy Swimming Pool with associated works at Kelly College was granted on July 10.  

There were no objections to the proposal, to be sited near the existing 25m pool, and it was approved under officers' delegated powers. The pool will not be visible from the road.