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.

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.