Plans to redevelop Tynemouth's outdoor pool have been dealt a blow by council officers - but a campaign group are determined to see it through.
North Tyneside Council planning officers have recommended to councillors they reject plans to restore Tynemouth outdoor pool to its former glory. Despite officers being in favour of the principle of the pool, and its health and economic benefits, they have identified several concerns.
Temporary units, including food and drink kiosks and changing facilities, were proposed to help generate cash for the pool as part of the first phase of redevelopment and would be in place for a maximum of five years. However, council officers believe five years is a "considerable" amount of time and doubt the units could be removed after the five-year plan, posing harm to the iconic development.
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Council officers also claimed it was unlikely that after a maximum of five years, a long-term proposal could be achieved.
Also, the council estimates the project would cost approximately £21m and concluded that outside funding sources were lacking. The council's director of commissioning and asset management also stated the pool's 'Friends' have not demonstrated there is enough outside funding out there and deemed the scheme "undeliverable".
Whilst council officers have no objection to the reinstatement of the pool, they nonetheless given the current application, made recommendations to refuse.
The recommendations come despite huge public support for the redevelopment. The Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool's application generated 1,894 supportive comments on the council's online planning portal.
A spokesperson for the Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool said: "We’re aware that the council’s planning team are recommending refusal of our application. However, a final decision will be made after discussion at the planning committee meeting on July 4th, and we’re confident that we’ve done everything possible to satisfy all requirements.
"It’s also important to remember that Tynemouth Outdoor Pool remains one of the biggest community-driven regeneration projects that the UK has ever seen and one which has already captured the passion, imagination and support of thousands of people.
"The incredible amount of work that has gone into this project so far has delivered a workable plan that will transform a genuine eyesore on one of the country's favourite beaches into a modern and safe outdoor pool. One that will bring enormous benefits to the region in terms of tourism and the economy, healthy lifestyles, safe swimming, and much, much more.
"With that in mind, we’re looking forward to gaining planning permission as this will put us in a much stronger position to begin securing the capital funding we need to progress with construction and deliver a new outdoor pool that the public really wants - and one that will put the North East back on the map."
Councillors are scheduled to make the final decision on July 4, 2023, at North Tyneside's Cobalt HQ.
