Saltdean Lido (From The Argus)

Saltdean Lido

5:01pm Wednesday 24th March 2010 in Blogs

I suspect Adam Trimingham is trying to stir up further feeling with his comments on the proposals for Saltdean Lido (The Argus, March 17).

By labelling it a “Saltdean only” issue he is likely to do so. If The Argus had been able to print some of the proposed designs then, perhaps, Adam and others might realise this is an issue for the whole of Sussex, rather than the lido’s immediate neighbours alone.

He does, however, make a good point about using the lido or losing it. When I first started going there, in the 1970s, there was plenty to keep little visitors, as I was then, occupied for the whole day, even if the sunshine wasn’t guaranteed, including climbing frames and a paddling pool. One by one these attractions have gone.

While swimming alone is enough for older children, younger visitors can only enjoy a cold outdoor pool for a limited time. That’s why many young families travel to outdoor paddling pools with other attractions in Eastbourne, Brighton or Worthing.

For decades the suggestion of putting the pool in some kind of bubble to extend its use has been blocked on planning grounds. It would be outrageous if, instead of improving the facilities at the site, a plan was then approved to concrete it over with yet more flats.

Losing the open air pool at Rottingdean was a great shame – allowing its bigger neighbour at Saltdean to be developed in this way would be a crime.

Claire Byrd
Chicester Drive West, Saltdean