Councillors are due to decide today whether a 50-metre swimming pool can be built on Brighton seafront.
Officials have given their backing to the scheme, with councillors already having voted to allow Sea Lanes to build a 25m pool on the beach in Madeira Drive.
Now the firm wants to build an Olympic-length outdoor pool instead by Peter Pan’s Playground – next to the Yellowave beach sports centre.
The verdict is due less than a week after council officials signed off amended plans for a high rope climbing course and raised café seating area on the other side of Yellowave.
Plans for the 52ft (16m) high rope structure were submitted by the Scottish operator Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf.
The newly approved plans include extending the café’s roof terrace over the Volk’s Electric Railway line by the Halfway Station.
Sea Lanes Brighton said that its scheme would create a heated 50m National Open Water Swimming Centre that would “transform Madeira Drive”.
The company said: “Sea Lanes Brighton hopes to create the UK’s first national open water swimming centre of excellence.
“Included in this will be a heated 50m outdoor swimming pool and associated facilities, endless pool training facilities and improved access to the sea.
“This will be supported with commercial buildings providing flexible space for local, independent businesses.
“The latest planning application plans to be considered include
- Permanent 50m swimming pool
- Ten-year consent to enabling small business units
- Improved views through to the beach
…
The company said: “The new development will bring around 100 new job roles to Brighton in both the swimming pool and small business units.”
Sea Lanes Brighton director Joe McNulty said: “We are pleased that the planning officers have recommended that our application be approved.
“We cannot wait to be given the go ahead so that we can start the build work in the autumn and opening in spring 2022.
“The support we have had from the local community has been overwhelming and in the current climate we are hoping to be able to offer the Brighton community not only better swimming facilities but the opportunity for jobs and security.”
Sea Lanes Brighton was previously granted planning permission for a 25m swimming pool and 39 small business units.
But the firm said: “The success of a pop-up on the site has enabled the plans to create the National Open Water Swimming Centre to be accelerated.
“If the planning application is approved, construction will begin in November with the 50m swimming pool set to open to the public in spring 2022.
“The pop-up will continue throughout 2021 until the new build begins.”
Brighton and Hove City Council said in a report to the Planning Committee: “The proposed permanent larger outdoor swimming pool broadly fits the emerging seafront strategy and priorities for the seafront and the ‘site specific’ allocation.”
The council added: “The proposed uses would positively support the regeneration of this section of the seafront.”
