Officials behind a bid to build a swimming pool for Bromyard will appeal against the decision to refuse them planning permission.
Members of the Bromyard and District Swimming Pool Trust came to the conclusion last Wednesday evening after their plan to build a facility off Hardwick Close in the town was rejected by Herefordshire Council’s planning officers in May.
Officers identified an “over provision of water space” in Herefordshire as one of the major reasons for their decision, even though Bromyard residents who want to swim currently face a round trip of between 18 and 22 miles respectively to pools in Tenbury Wells and Leominster.
The appeal is the latest development in a saga which has lasted well over quarter of a century. A pool for the town looked likely in 1981 at a site near the then Queen Elizabeth High School but it was eventually voted against by school governors.
“We’ve decided to appeal,” said Trust chairman Bill Gibbard. “Everybody should have the chance to swim, that’s always been my argument. There is nothing practical against a pool in Bromyard, this is the best chance we’ve ever had, it’s such a fantastic opportunity.”
Mr Gibbard said he hoped for more support from inside Herefordshire Council the second time around.
The cause has received the backing of of Bromyard Town Council, who pledged their support at their last meeting on Monday, July 21.
Speaking at the meeting, Herefordshire Councillor Alan Seldon said that he thought the local authority were not the main opponents to the plan.
“The major obstacle is Sport England,” he said. “If we can convince them there is a need for a swimming pool the funding from Herefordshire Council would be forthcoming.
“We could be asked to to take 60 to 70 extra homes in the next 20 years in Bromyard. Surely with that justification a sports facility of this nature would become essential, not just desirable. Our core arguments are the transport links, and our young people to have a water space in which to to learn how to swim.”