Brighton: Funding approved for new £6m swimming pool

Brighton and Hove City Council has agreed to borrow an initial £450,000 to begin planning and design work for the community pool at Withdean

Funding has been approved to begin plans for a new swimming pool at a sports complex in East Sussex.

A committee at Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) first backed plans for the new 25-metre pool at Withdean Sports Complex last week.

On Thursday, a BHCC finance committee agreed to borrow funds needed for the project as it was "capital spending" that would generate income.

Councillors were told the new facility could generate £12,000 profit per year.

Senior councillors on BHCC's strategy, finance and city regeneration committee unanimously agreed to borrow £450,000 to begin design, survey, and planning-permission work for the five-lane community pool.

Labour councillor Jacob Taylor, who leads on finance, said: "We have to maintain infrastructure in the city. We haven't invested enough whether it's roads or school buildings or leisure facilities.

"It is really important during difficult times with the revenue budget to invest in infrastructure."

Fellow councillor Alan Robins said: "I am really proud we will continue to be able to provide free swimming for under 18-year-olds. This is something we can take particular pride in. This is an important health and wellbeing consideration."

Councillors also agreed to a feasibility study for a further swimming pool in the east of Brighton, with Moulsecoomb Leisure Centre and Stanley Deason Leisure Centre in Whitehawk both up for consideration.

The committee heard the council had not built a pool in more than 30 years and that further bus services would be needed for the site in future.

The proposed pool would have to generate an annual income of almost £560,000 to cover the estimated £260,000 running costs and service the loan at almost £300,000 per year, the committee heard.

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