Arthur Hill swimming pool to be turned into key worker flats

The listed frontage of the building in Kings Road will be retained

A derelict swimming baths is to be renovated into flats for key workers.

Reading Borough Council's planning applications committee gave the go ahead to convert the former Arthur Hill swimming pool in Cemetery Junction on Wednesday.

The 1911-built pool closed in 2016 after the council said it could no longer afford to repair the building.

But campaigners said the development would result in the loss of much-needed leisure provision in the area.

Speaking at the meeting, resident Chris Beales said campaigners were promised a new pool in the area within four years of its closure, which had yet to happen.

He said keeping it open would "make a real difference in making a healthier, happier, more resilient community".

The 1911-built pool closed in 2016 after the council said it could no longer afford to repair the building

Park Ward councillor Josh Williams said the pool had been a "remarkable place, a community hub, not just a swimming pool".

He described the new flat designs as "tiny" and said key workers were being used "as a sort of human shield for the disappointing decisions of the past".

He also said there were 2,000 empty houses in Reading that could be used to help key workers.

Key workers 'struggling'

Under the plans, the listed frontage of the building in Kings Road would be retained. The development would house 13 one-bed and two two-bed flats, and would be available by autumn 2022.

Nurses, social workers, teachers and police officers would all be eligible to rent the council-owned flats at 80% of market rental rates.

Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock said: "Extortionate rental prices across the south east, including in Reading, mean many [key workers] struggle to afford to live here.

"Those high rent levels also have a major knock-on effect for recruitment in schools, hospitals, the police force and councils - public services which have never been more essential."

The committee also heard a planning application had been submitted to build a new swimming pool at Palmer Park.

Eight councillors voted in favour of granting planning permission for the Arthur Hill project, with one against, and one abstention.