'Cautious optimism' over council pool build pledge

The new facility had been backed by Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington

The chairman of a Nottinghamshire swim club says a council's commitment to change the design of a new leisure centre is "absolutely brilliant".

Recently published plans for a new Bramcote Leisure Centre had caused concerns over the depth of the pool and the size and location of the spectator's area.

However, at a full council meeting on Wednesday, councillor Greg Marshall said the authority would make a "cast iron guarantee" to meet the needs of Bramcote Swimming Club.

The club previously said it could be forced to relocate its artistic swimming section and hold competitions elsewhere.

Greg Marshall said the authority could "promise" changes to better suit Bramcote Swimming Club

Marshall confirmed to the BBC the plans were not final, and that Broxtowe Borough Council would ensure the pool was two metres deep, and the spectators' area changed.

"We are not going to have a swimming pool that our clubs cannot use," he said.

The councillor added that even when the redevelopment gains outline planning permission, there will still be scope to amend the details.

Martin Heathfield, the club's chairman, said that the pledge would be reassuring to "parents, volunteers, and everybody else" who dedicate their time to the club.

"[We're] very optimistic that we're going to get what we need within the realms of practicality," he said.

"A slight note of good caution just until we see some of the details, but those are the two points that we wanted to address," Mr Heathfield said.

'Means the world'

Laura Nicholls, whose child swims with the Bramcote Swimming Club, says the council should have communicated with people better before publishing the original plans.

"I'm happy to hear that they are going to make those adjustments. I'm frustrated that they didn't consult more to start with," she said.

She also expressed scepticism about the pledge, saying: "Will there be enough room with this viewing platform, or is it going to be a token gesture?"

"If everything goes right, it means [my child] can still train at their home ground, and it means the world to them."