Planning permission granted for new pool in Pitsea
Conservative plans to bring a new swimming pool to Pitsea have moved a step closer
At tonight's meeting of the Planning Committee, permission was granted for a new £2million swimming pool at Eversley Leisure Centre in Pitsea.
Plans to bring a new swimming pool to Pitsea were initially advanced by local Conservative councillors four years ago and were approved and budgeted for by the last Conservative Administration in 2018/19 but were hit by repeated delays before being quietly 'shelved' by the Labour/Independent Alliance during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
“The previous Administration delayed the swimming pool with political point-scoring. It could and should have been built by 2020, but with all the party games and then Covid, it was delayed." ~ Cllr Craig Rimmer, Chairman of Leisure & Environment
Cllr Craig Rimmer (Con, Pitsea South-East), Chairman of Leisure & Environment, said: “The previous Administration delayed the swimming pool with political point-scoring. It could and should have been built by 2020, but with all the party games and then Covid, it was delayed."
Having taken back administration in May last year, Basildon Conservatives have been battling to get the project back on track, with a full planning application being submitted in January. The Planning Committee was asked to grant permission to extend Eversley Leisure Centre to accommodate a four-lane, 25m (82ft) pool, with an additional fifty car parking spaces and changing rooms. The new facilities will be fully wheelchair accessible and is part of Basildon Conservative's long-term strategy to improve the health and well-being of local residents both in Pitsea and wider borough.
The plans were passed unanimously by the Planning Committee.
"This is great news and delivers on our long-standing promise to the people of Pitsea that we would get this done." ~ Cllr Luke Mackenzie, Councillor for Pitsea South-East
Local Pitsea councillor, Cllr Luke Mackenzie (Con, Pitsea South-East), said: "This is great news and delivers on our long-standing promise to the people of Pitsea that we would get this done. We know residents really want this pool and how important it is both as a source of exercise and, also, with a cafe and gym nearby, as a social hub to improve their overall well-being. I can't wait to see it open."
It is hoped that works will get underway shortly.
