Plans for covers at Grade II listed open-air lido

The plans have been submitted to add covers to Peterborough's lido

Plans for mechanical covers at a city's Grade II listed open-air swimming pool to help reduce energy costs have been submitted.

Peterborough's lido currently faces "significant financial challenges", according to council documents.

In December a report highlighted the art deco-style facility costs more than £400,000 a year to run, even after accounting for entrance fees.

Retractable covers would retain heat, "potentially extending the swimming season and increasing revenue", planning documents have stated.

A heritage statement submitted to Peterborough City Council said the lido "stands as a distinguished example of interwar public leisure architecture".

It has a 45m (147ft) main pool, as well as learner and paddling pools, the council document said.

The statement said "careful consideration" was required "to ensure that the cover's materials and mechanisms are sympathetic to the existing aesthetic and do not detract from the building's historic ambiance".

The plans - which have been submitted by the council - stated: "The retractable cover offers a cost-effective solution to enhance the lido's functionality without compromising its historic fabric.

"The running costs are expected to reduce as a result, which generates a saving in the best interest of the taxpayer."

The council's cabinet member for environment and transport Angus Ellis said: "This is a listed building consent application to install pool covers to the main pool and teaching pool.

"These are to support the energy costs to make the Lido more sustainable moving forward. This is a positive step and one the friends of the Lido and councillors have supported."