New £7m swimming pool plan recommended for approval

Plans for a £7m swimming pool in East Sussex have been recommended for approval.

Brighton & Hove City Council is proposing to build a 25m, five-lane pool at Withdean Sports Complex in Brighton.

The council wants to extend the north end of the centre, which it said would accommodate a new reception area, changing rooms and an overflow car park.

However, some have objected to the development, claiming it would abut residents' gardens and ruin "a beautiful, quiet, rural area".

The eight objections expressed concerns about operating hours, potential light pollution and negative ecological impact.

The council also received three letters in support of the plans.

The proposals follow the approval of the council's Sports Facilities Investment Plan in 2021, which stated there was a need for more council-owned pools in the city.

The three main public pools – the Prince Regent, St Luke's and King Alfred – are all more than 30 years old.

In July, the council's cabinet gave its backing to the project after a public consultation and agreed to borrow £6.5m to be repaid from entry fees.

A further £350,000 would come from developer contributions – money towards local infrastructure paid by developers as a condition of their planning permission, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The report to the council's cabinet at the time said that the pool was expected to bring in revenues of £568,000 a year, and after annual repayments of £339,000, generate a surplus of £229,000.

The plans are to go before councillors next week.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook,X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.