A POPULAR Lido could get £700,000 to replace its public library.

A proposal to fund Saltdean Lido will be heard at the city council’s policy, resources and growth committee meeting today.

According to a report the money would be secured by borrowing and would be included in the 2018/19 Capital Investment Programme.

The current restoration plans would mean the library would be knocked down however the proposed funding would allow for a temporary replacement as well as a permanent extension to house the library.

The full cost of restoring the site is now around £12 million according to the Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company, which won the bid for the site in 2013.

The report also recommends that the company is granted a 60 year lease on the Lido building and the grounds subject to conditions. If the lease is granted further sources of funding would then need to be secured.

Committee chairman and council leader Warren Morgan said: “This grant would do two very important things. It would assist restoration of Saltdean Lido, a nationally-important Art Deco building, providing jobs, community and leisure facilities and a new tourist attraction.

“It would also ensure library services are not interrupted by building works and upgrade Saltdean Library as part of a programme to improve neighbourhood libraries all over the city. That bucks a national trend for councils to close libraries.”

In 2015 the company obtained a £2.3 million grant from the Coastal Communities Fund which is being used to restore the main pool and landscape the outdoor areas.

The company is currently awaiting a result due in March over a £4.2 million lottery bid.