New plans for old Bristol swimming pool
A developer has unveiled fresh plans for a former swimming pool in Bristol.
The pool in Whitefield Road, Speedwell, closed in 2005, along with several other pools in the city.
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New plans for old Bristol swimming pool
The site was bought by developer Themejob Ltd, which won planning permission to convert the baths into a block of 32 flats in 2007.
But the pool building has stood empty since, and now Themejob has submitted new plans to Bristol City Council to transform the site into 13 three-storey town houses instead.
In a statement supporting the application, David Cahill, agent for the developer, said flats were not built on the site because there was no longer a strong enough market as a result of the recession.
He added that it was difficult to secure funding for developments of new flats and said there was now more demand for "conventional houses".
Under the new plans, the homes would be built in four terraces around the boundary of the site, with the parking spaces in a central courtyard.
The previous plan was for 18 two-bed and 14 one-bed apartments in a four-storey block, with balconies and terraces and an underground car park.
Mr Cahill, of Warmley-based Design Consultant Limited, said: "This application is promoting a scheme, which will be financially viable in the current market and residential market.
"If approved, it will be allow this site to be redeveloped. Otherwise, the existing building will gradually deteriorate and will be detrimental to the character of the area."
A number of residents who were asked for their comments about the proposed development raised concerns over parking in the area.
But Mr Cahill said each home would have its own parking space and visitor spaces might also be included.
He said: "All the residents would welcome the new scheme and consider it a considerable improvement on the current permission."
The other pools closed in 2005 were Henbury, Bristol North, and Filwood, and the Robin Cousins sports centre in Shirehampton.
Henbury Leisure Centre and Horfield Leisure Centre have been opened in their place and the council plans to build another leisure centre in Hengrove.
Earlier this year, a city councillor said plans were in the pipeline for a new swimming pool built to replace Speedwell pool.
Liberal Democrat Patrick Hassell, who was elected in June, said the area needed a new facility and his party made the development of a new pool in east Bristol a manifesto commitment as one of its 'Six to Fix' priorities.
6 Comments
by Hal, Bristal
Friday, November 06 2009, 12:49PM
“I'm glad the skanky old pool has gone, the one at Longwell Green is much nicer. But the main point I have is that if they're building the houses round a central courtyard they need to put play facilities in the middle, not cars. This is the latest thinking and is good for kids and good for the community. Build garages round the back for the cars. Keep the children in sight and let them play properly.”
by Dan, Thornbury
Friday, November 06 2009, 1:12AM
“With the Olympics Coming Up Bristol needs to get its act in order and provide leisure facilities at the Olympics is going to encourage people to get out and give it a go.
If I Was the council my priority would be to get a arena built, a Athletics stadium/complex and better provision for swimmers.
The council have let us down by not providing them facilities, They are happy to build new houses and retail units but when it comes to sport and leisure they fail massively. It pains me to say that we are well behind Cardiff.
In hindsight they should have included a Olympic sized swimming pool on the new stadium site, In fact with teh Southlands development being rejected there is still the opportunity for that to happen.”
by Jack, Fishponds
Friday, November 06 2009, 12:27AM
“Big Poppa, St George.
Our pools have exceeded their capacities, where do you think the very popular Penguins Swimming Club from Speedwell Pool has moved? They have moved to Kingswood Leisure Centre and now there's no public swimming available during the evenings on week days. Easton Pool may as well be in central Bristol, it's ony 10 minutes walk from Cabot Circus whereas Speedwell Pool was an hours walk. Swimming is an essential keep fit activity and our community has lost this and there's very little else here in terms of public access.
Brunel Academy was supposed to have a new swimming pool which was why this pool was closed shortly after being updated. This never happened and now we have nothing.
Please think before you comment and only comment on issues which concern you.”
by Big Poppa, St George
Friday, November 06 2009, 12:00AM
“I personally cannot swim so I'm not really bothered with the lack of facilities. The fact of the matter is, the majority of local authority pools run at a loss. Can the public sustain costs that do not bear a return on investment. Easton has a pool and guess what it's in east Bristol. There have been many cuts across local authorities in a bid the reduce wasteful expenditure. I believe we should only build more pools when the existing sites have exceeded their capacities.”
by Chris, Whitehall and Speedwell
Thursday, November 05 2009, 6:40PM
“Patrick is still working hard to deliver on his promise for a new swimming pool for us. This was a really popular pool and now Kingwood Leisure Centre has had to take in all of the clubs from this pool and so there's no public swimming available anywhere in East Bristol.”
by Jimmy Rimmer, Glasgee
Thursday, November 05 2009, 4:35PM
“Everytime the Evening Post reports on the closures of pools in 2005 they always forget to include Shirehampton Swimming Pool which was a great loss to the area along with Robin Cousins Sports Centre. Maybe Bristol City Council are as unaware that Shirehampton exists too.”