Two councillors have backed plans for the redevelopment of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool, despite council officers recommending the plans be scrapped.
Councillors Lewis Bartoli and Sarah Day have supported The Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool's plans to bring the pool back to use. Both hope the council's planning committee will welcome the modernisation works while understanding the council's cautious approach.
The pool opened in 1924 but by the 1970s had lost its appeal as international package holidays began to take off and it was eventually closed in 1996.
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Officers reported concerns for the project including the use of temporary kiosks for up to five years. Council officers also dubbed the plans "undeliverable" estimating the project could cost up to £21m, and doubted external funding of that size could be found.
However, both Tynemouth representatives feel the project has merits and are supportive of the plans, and hope the application, once heard by North Tyneside Council's planning committee, will be approved. The committee will meet at 10am on July 4 to finally decide the fate of the application.
Conservative councillor Lewis Bartoli said: "From my perspective, I recognise that there are concerns about the business plan and funding, but the council has a responsibility here because they have allowed this important cultural community historic asset to fall into disrepair.
"Had they not allowed it to get into that state we wouldn't be talking about such a huge project. They bare the responsibility for not maintaining this and they're not offering any alternative.
"The council is not saying 'we are going to knock this back and do 'x' they are saying we'll knock this back and let it continue to rot.' At least the 'Friends' (Friends of Tynemouth Pool) are offering something.
"I am not a technical expert but at least they (The Friends) deserve the opportunity to have a go.
"Last time the committee went against the wishes of residents in allowing the Tynemouth Metro Station development and I hope this time they agree with the residents."
Both councillors intend to state their cases in favour of the pool's recovery at the planning committee meeting on July 4.
Labour councillor Sarah Day said: "As a Tynemouth and North Shields ward councillor, I have been personally supportive of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool for a number of years. I do see from the planning papers that there are concerns about the viability of the project but I trust that Tynemouth Outdoor Pool will be able to fully alleviate those concerns at the committee meeting next week.
"I will also be speaking in favour of the plans at the planning committee next Tuesday. We are seeing lidos being brought back into use up and down the country and I very much hope to see Tynemouth Outdoor Pool at the heart of our village in years to come."
North Tyneside Council has declined to comment on the application until a decision has been made.
Chair of the planning committee, Coun Willie Samuel said: "It would be wrong for me to offer any opinion at this stage. I have not prejudged this application (nor should I) and will listen carefully to the representations on the day.
"It is worth pointing out that this is not a meeting to consider the future of the outdoor pool, the history of the site or to score petty political points. I will leave that dead end to Councillor Bartoli. It is a meeting to consider two planning applications on their own individual merits and I expect all parties to show respect for each other and the process."
