A new seafront swimming pool's expected opening date has been announced after it secured a crucial £2.5 million loan.

Sea Lanes, on the site of the former Peter Pan playground in Madeira Drive, Brighton, will feature a 50m heated outdoor pool – the new National Open Water Swimming Centre of Excellence. It will be the UK’s first outdoor swimming training centre.

The plans also include 23 carbon neutral modular units, which will house businesses including a bar, coffee shop, yoga studios, health and fitness facilities, plus retailers that fit with the “overall ethos” of the project.

Sea Lanes director Joe McNulty said work is on target for a spring opening after a loan of £2.5 million, half the project’s costs, was secured from Triodos Bank.

He said the retail units should be finished by the end of February and the pool should be completed by April or May.

All but one of the units already have allocated occupants.

The opening of the retail units was pushed back from autumn this year because of damage caused by a crash during the Brighton Speed Trials in September but things are now on track.

“It’s all going really well,” said Mr McNulty.

“We’re making good progress on the construction of the small business units and work on the pool is under way, which will provide the much-needed swimming facilities in Brighton.

“There’s one unit left but the rest are all let and people are ready to move in.”

Mr McNulty said there will be announcements in the new year about events to mark the opening and said he was “excited” to welcome people to the facility.  

“We look forward to welcoming you all to the first National Open Water Swimming Centre of Excellence next spring,” he said.

The Argus: Work is underway on the Sea Lanes swimming pool in BrightonWork is underway on the Sea Lanes swimming pool in Brighton (Image: Sea Lanes)

"The support we have had from the local community has been overwhelming and we are looking forward to providing the Brighton community with better swimming facilities, jobs and security.

"We are grateful to Triodos for their support and pleased to work with partners that share our ethos of sustainability and passion for supporting local communities.”

Sea Lanes was formed by a group of Brighton-based businesses and open water swimming enthusiasts to encourage people to enjoy sea swimming and "live healthier lives".

The centre aims to cater for swimmers of all abilities and aims to increase participation by overcoming accessibility barriers.

Brighton and Hove City Council gave the project the green light in March last year.

South Downs Leisure, which runs the Splashpoint pool in Worthing, will operate the swimming pool.

Adam Standley, relationship manager at Triodos Bank UK, said: “We were delighted to fund this dynamic and ambitious project on the Brighton seafront. This is a forward-thinking development with physical wellbeing and environmental sustainability at its heart.

“This scheme is a great example of Triodos Bank’s commitment to providing bespoke financial solutions to businesses that are having a demonstrably positive impact on society and sustainability.”