The capital’s first new lido in decades is set to be built in east London.
Redbridge Council on Wednesday night green-lighted plans for the new outdoor 25m swimming pool, which is to be built in Valentines Park in Ilford, along with a cafe, car park, splash pad, dance studio, gym and picnic area.
The project is part of an £11m redevelopment of leisure facilities.
Plans for the lido were first unveiled by the council last April, when Redbridge leader Jas Athwal said he hoped it would open by “late summer or early August” this year.
Redbridge Council now says construction is expected to begin later this year, while the facility is expected to be open to the public by autumn 2025.
The new six-lane pool will mark a resurrection of the former Valentines Lido, which opened in Redbridge in 1924 but was demolished in the early 90s following years of financial mismanagement.
Mark Baigent, Redbridge Council’s corporate director of regeneration and culture, said: "We're delighted we can now move forward with plans to deliver the first new Lido in London for decades.
"The old Lido in Valentines Park holds a special place in the hearts of local people.
“It is where families enjoyed idyllic summer days right on their doorsteps and it is so exciting that after nearly 30 years, a brand new lido and more will be introduced in the park for people to visit and create new special memories.
"As a council, we will continue to invest in leisure facilities so local families and visitors can access everything they need right on our doorstep."
Approval of the Valentines Park plans came on the same day London’s oldest lido, in Tooting Bec, formally reopened to the public following a £4million makeover which began a year-and-a-half ago.
Tooting Bec Lido, which was first opened to the public in 1906 and is also the largest open-air freshwater swimming pool in the UK, was closed in December 2022 for refurbishments.
The 90-metre-long pool reopened to South London Swimming Club members on December 18 and on Wednesay, more than 1,000 local residents have booked a free family swim on its first full day back in action.
Where are London's lidos?
- London Fields Lido, Hackney
- Finchley Lido Leisure Centre, Barnet
- Oasis Sports Centre, Camden
- Charlton Lido, Blackheath
- Hillingdon Lido, Uxbridge
- Brockwell Lido, Brockwell Park
- Parliament Hill Fields Lido, Hampstead Heath
- Serpentine Lido, Hyde Park
- Hampton Pool, Hampton
- Park Road Pools and Fitness lido, Crouch End
