New plans for Saltdean Lido given support

12:10pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter

Plans are underway to turn Saltdean Lido into a modern community leisure centre Plans are underway to turn Saltdean Lido into a modern community leisure centre

A major leisure provider has added its support to a plan to transform the Saltdean Lido into an historic art-deco attraction.

The Argus understands Brighton and Hove City Council, which took back full control of the “at-risk” Grade II* listed building last year, is to recommend handing control of the building to a third party.

It comes as the Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company (CIC), set up by members of the Save Saltdean Lido campaign, revealed its first image of what its plans look like.

The organisation said that, if successful, Waves Leisure Trust, which runs swimming pools in Lewes district, had agreed to take over the running of some of the facilities.

Peter Crowley, managing director of the not-for-profit organisation, said it was “excited” to be involved with the CIC project.

He added: “With our established and experienced team, we will bring resources to support this project and develop its long term sustainable future in partnership with the directors of the CIC.”

The council took back full control of the building from Dennis Audley, the holder of a 125-year lease, in June.

Leisure services

Since then, the local authority has been seeing what interest there is from the charity and private sectors to run the premises, which includes an outdoor swimming pool, community meeting space and indoor gym.

However, the council made clear that no decision has yet been taken over the future of the attraction.

Saltdean Lido CIC, which has nearly 400 members, will be holding a public consultation about the future of the building on Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13 in St Nicholas Church Hall in Saltdean Vale, Saltdean from 2pm to 6pm.

Rebecca Crook, chairman of Saltdean Lido CIC, said: “The Saltdean Lido site is on English Heritage’s ‘At Risk Register’ and its future is still not safe.

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“Our plans are intended to stimulate debate and to get feedback.

“The weekend is a chance for people to tell us what they would like to see at the site.”

Visitors will be able to see its plans, which have been drawn up by Brighton-based Conran and Partners.

These include providing more community space, modernising the pool, expanding the gym and creating a café.

Regular monthly events, such as farmers markets, concerts and sports events, could also be held in its grounds.

The issue will be discussed at the council’s policy and resources committee meeting on January 24 in Hove Town Hall at 4pm.

For more details on the CIC plans, visit the website www.saltdeanlido.co.uk.

Talking point: What would you like to see at Saltdean Lido? Do you welcome the plans?

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Comments(16)

Crystal Ball says...
12:19pm Thu 10 Jan 13

So it wasn't an "historic art-deco attraction" before this?

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ICantThinkOfAName says...
12:58pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Crystal Ball wrote:
So it wasn't an "historic art-deco attraction" before this?
No, because I have never seen it in an episode of "Poirot".

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lordenglandofsussex says...
1:00pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Demolish it and build a state of the art water park.

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ShorehamBeachcomber says...
1:04pm Thu 10 Jan 13

lordenglandofsussex wrote:
Demolish it and build a state of the art water park.
Pathetic post, there is already one over the road, it's called the SEA

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Saltdeaner says...
1:15pm Thu 10 Jan 13

It's definitely historic and art-deco, but it certainly hasn't been an attraction for the last few years. Hopefully that will now change.

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Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit says...
2:27pm Thu 10 Jan 13

I said on the other story I want to see the building preserved, but I'm not fussed if it's as a swimming pool or as a restaurant. If people think they can make a go of it as a water-based attraction then fair play to them, give them the keys and let them get on with it.

What I DON'T want is for the Council to waste any more of our money on an open-air swimming pool; something that self-evidently isn't wanted by the vast majority of the local population and has struggled commercially since the end of WW2.

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causton says...
3:51pm Thu 10 Jan 13

why cant a Eden project dome roof covering entire site be put on,protecting the building,then turn swimming pool into heated water park with tropical plants,maybe roof could open in summer,so it can used all year round,with nice restaurant and new gym.and local villages get discount rate,considering high council band and no facilities .

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Saltdean_Resident says...
4:28pm Thu 10 Jan 13

This is brilliant to see, that a group are actually doing something. As a local resident I love the lido but honestly just a outdoor pool isn't going to work so the cafe and other things mentioned sounds sensible. Gets mine and my neighbours backing.

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bug eye says...
5:20pm Thu 10 Jan 13

so long as it is kept art deco in style and a quality development fit for the Miami seafront, no tacky council style signage or white upvc etc.

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Tallywhacker says...
6:04pm Thu 10 Jan 13

If they can cover a tennis court with an inflatable bubble why is the lido so difficult a project.

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hubby says...
9:07pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Cover it over with a removable canopy.
Ice rink in winter,Lido in the summer.

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pjwilk says...
10:12am Fri 11 Jan 13

hubby wrote:
Cover it over with a removable canopy.
Ice rink in winter,Lido in the summer.
Good idea,our kids need an ice rink.

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The Heretic says...
10:19am Fri 11 Jan 13

pjwilk wrote:
hubby wrote:
Cover it over with a removable canopy.
Ice rink in winter,Lido in the summer.
Good idea,our kids need an ice rink.
Totally agree. Good for year round use instead of just (what passes for) summer. Gets my vote!

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Saltdean_Resident says...
11:54am Fri 11 Jan 13

Think the ice rink and heated water Re part of the plans which are by the new community saltdean lido company. Exciting!

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thevoiceoftruth says...
2:50pm Sun 13 Jan 13

Ice rink, ice rink, ice rink!

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imnotpc says...
10:12am Sat 19 Jan 13

this will be an amazing place for the brighton gay scene to be lurking about in lol i can see the disgusting speedo's being dusted off as we speak hahahaha

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