AN MP has slammed Brighton and Hove City Council for a "lack of thinking" over new plans for a multimillion-pound swimming facility in Madeira Drive.

The Argus reported today how the council and Copsemill Properties wants to turn the derelict Peter Pan site into a £3 million leisure hotspot with outdoor and indoor pools, among other features.

In the light of the progress being made on the Saltdean Lido, Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown, has called on council chiefs to "urgently rethink" the proposal to put a second outdoor pool at the Peter Pan site in Madeira Drive.

Mr Kirby said: "I am astounded at the complete lack of holistic thinking within the city council regarding the development of the seafront and this proposed outdoor swimming pool.

"Only a few miles away is the Saltdean Lido which has already been awarded millions of pounds in funding, has an existing infrastructure, a huge amount of community support and a business plan that is viable for the long-term.

"The city council itself awarded the lease to the Community Interest Company (CIC) which is now regenerating the Lido. This announcement makes no sense either for the tourism offer of the city.

"There are any number of uses that seafront sites could be put to – some of which have lain noticeably vacant for a number of years. It is astounding that in meetings with the CIC, City Council officials have never mentioned the Peter Pan proposal."

Rebecca Crook of the Saltdean Lido CIC said: 'It’s disappointing that Brighton council officers have failed to share the information on the proposed development with us as two outdoor swimming pools within a four mile radius is most unusual and certainly will impact on both businesses.

"However the Saltdean Lido project has local support and secured funding and will open next year as a heated outdoor pool. The bigger point is the lack of joined up thinking from the council in their approach to major projects across the city which continues to focus only on the seafront with outlying areas such as Saltdean left off the city's tourism strategy."