Brighton: £6m pool plan wins councillor backing

The council plans to make use of energy-efficient features at the potential pool in Withdean

A £6m plan to build a swimming pool at a Brighton sports complex has won the backing of a committee of councillors.

The scheme needs the approval of a second committee made up of senior Brighton and Hove City councillors that signs off big spending decisions.

If agreed, work will begin on preparing a planning application for the pool at the Withdean Sports Complex.

Councillors have agreed that officials should also look at building a pool in eastern Brighton.

A favoured idea is adding a pool to the existing Moulsecoomb Community Leisure Centre, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Another option could be the Stanley Deason Leisure Centre site in Wilson Avenue, Whitehawk.

When the council's culture, heritage, sport, tourism and economic development committee met on Thursday to discuss the plans for the five-lane 25-metre community pool in Withdean.

'21st century facilities'

Labour councillor Alan Robins said: "Being a coastal town, it could save your life if you learn to swim at an early age. So it's important to get this facility up and running."

Mr Robins said the plan, which received cross-party support, will help provide the "21st Century facilities that Brighton and Hove deserves".

Currently the council has no funds set aside for boosting swimming capacity in the city.

Senior councillors are set to be asked to approve £450,000 of borrowing to pay professional fees for detailed design and survey work, and the obtaining of planning consent.

The council's strategy, finance and city regeneration committee will meet on Thursday to decide whether to approve the borrowing.

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