Council approves new pool despite lost facilities

One councillor said: "We need a flipping new swimming pool."

Plans for a swimming and leisure centre costing about £45m have been approved, despite concerns over lost facilities.

Stevenage Borough Council granted planning permission for the development despite concerns about voyeurism, parking and the loss of some sporting facilities.

Aqualina Artistic Swimming Club has used the town for 50 years but said the new pool would not be deep enough to continue using the facility.

Dave Wells, assistant director for Stevenage's regeneration, said time and resources had been spent to ensure many users were supported.

He continued: "It's designed to be as inclusive to as many as possible and provides best value for the community.

"Not every sport can be provided for to the extent that it is currently; however, we have sought to work with individual groups to direct them to alternative resources, and that support remains available now and into the future," he added.

An 82ft (25m) long swimming pool, gym and cafe will be provided at the new building which will be built over the current swimming centre.

According to Local Democracy Reporting Service, the project as a whole is expected to cost £44.2m, with £10m of that coming through the government's Towns Fund.

The council voted to approve planning permission for the project

Wells said concerns raised by the police around "voyeurism" at existing facilities were misleading, adding: "In the year ending April 2025, there were only four crimes reported at the swimming pool.

"We'd question some of the data recorded at the leisure centre, given the public thoroughfare that passes through it from the station."

A planning officer told the committee that changing areas have "been designed to minimise the risk of voyeurism" and that they met national and local guidance.

A number of councillors raised concerns about the number of parking spaces at the new centre, which will be 53, down from 91 at the existing swimming pool.

Councillor Julie Ashley-Wren suggested the new parking facilities would not be enough to cater for groups who want to use the pool.

There was support for the wider plans which passed with only two abstentions and no votes against.

Councillor Lynda Guy said: "We absolutely need it. You've got to break a few eggs to make an omelette. I really think the positives far, far outweigh the negatives.

"We need a flipping new swimming pool."