Fate of listed swimming baths to be considered

Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre has sat empty since 2020

Plans to demolish a Grade II listed building housing a former swimming baths are to be considered by Coventry City Council.

The old swimming pool building and neighbouring former leisure centre, known as The Elephant, on Fairfax Street, have been closed since 2020.

Attempts over the years to find a new use have failed and the site costs taxpayers about £400,000 a year to maintain, the local authority said.

Councillors will discuss listed building consent for potential demolition of the baths building on 12 November. Under the plans, however, the nearby Elephant building would be protected, with work continuing to find new owners to ensure its future, Councillor Jim O'Boyle said.

He said: "I'm pleased to say that thanks to really close working with Historic England they have agreed to not oppose this plan."

"The Elephant" side of the site would not be affected by the demolition plans, O'Boyle said

O'Boyle said: "There has been extensive work in trying to find a suitable use for the [baths] site, but despite our best efforts this has been unsuccessful and the buildings remain empty."

"This means a prominent space in our city is being left to decay and is costing taxpayers thousands of pounds every year. This cannot be allowed to continue.

"We would have loved to protect Cov baths, it is a part of our city, and has a place in many people's hearts, but we must find a way to bring this area back to life."

He said the first step was to secure permission for demolition, while still protecting the Elephant, adding that the council hoped to create "something special" that would be loved by future generations.

The council has secured £50,000 grant funding from Homes England so a regeneration scheme can be drawn up.

Coventry's swimming pools are now provided at The Wave and the Alan Higgs Centre.

If approved, it is expected demolition will start in the next three years.