Plans have been approved for an aqua park and cold water swimming in a lake at Kent’s largest shopping centre.

The application to Dartford council was to add to the adrenaline-fuelled attractions provided by Hangloose Adventure at Bluewater in Greenhithe.

As well as cold water swimming, councillors agreed a floating deck can be built on Lake two, in the style of existing structures, with capacity for 153 people.

It will be used for general seating, courses, yoga and open air leisure, as well as for serving drinks and snacks.

In its planning application, Hangloose stressed the deck was “very unlikely to reach” its maximum capacity of 153 people standing, and boasted that it offers “a panoramic view of almost all existing activities”.

The cold water swimming will be for no more than 30 people at a time, will be marked by buoys with exit and entry points and will be limited to over-18s.

The proposal stated it is aimed at “enthusiasts and adults looking to keep fit or train for an event”.

In an attempt to avoid too much disruption in the area, the swimming can only be carried out between 8am and 6pm between March 1 and September 10 and between 8am to 8pm from September 11 to February 28/29.

Lake two already hosts the country’s fastest and longest zipwire, one of Hangloose’s most popular attractions and this summer played host to the “Summer Aqua Park” which finally received planning permission despite more than 8,000 people calling for it to be ditched in 2021.

A new application, this time by Hangloose, was proposed earlier this year at a different location with emphasis on the new site not forming part of the Bluewater Nature Trail.

Speaking at the time, Brian Phelps, managing director at Hangloose Adventure, said: “It’s a lovely spot away from the nature trail, tucked away in the corner of the cliff and about five metres below the road level so very sheltered.

“It has exceptionally clear water as most of it filters through the rock, we are keen to maintain this lovely site and will increase ecology of the development by 10% as required by Biodiversity Net Gain legislation.”

The plans were approved at Dartford council’s Development Control Board meeting on September 19.

The lake is already open for cold water swimming.