Housing threat to historic lido

The lido could make way for new homes

A housing association has applied to replace a Victorian swimming pool with flats.

Bristol's Clifton Lido, a listed building which opened in 1850, has been closed since 1990.

Campaigners want to restore the building, which was designed by Bristol architect Richard Shackleton-Pope, and reopen it to the public.

James Gibson, from the Sovereign Housing Association, said: "Two independent surveyors say the pool would cost £2.3m to renovate.

'Unique building'

"Our proposal is the only realistic way to save at least some of the listed building, by refurbishing the front part and providing desperately-needed, affordable homes."

A spokesman for the Save Clifton Pool pressure group said: "It's a unique building, probably the only surviving example of a subscription-built - as opposed to municipal-built - pool."

The pool was run as a private business with five subscribers financing its building and becoming shareholders.

In 1880, the pool was bought by the Clifton Victoria Swimming Baths Ltd for £2,200.

The company obtained a mortgage of £160 from the 4th Permanent Building Society.

"Bristol Visual Environmental Buildings Preservation Trust has put in two offers to Sovereign to buy the pool and do it up," said Phil Goldsborough of the Save Clifton Pool group.

"There would be money available from the architectural heritage fund, English Heritage and lottery grants.

"I don't think there's any need for more housing in Clifton - it's a very densely-populated area as it is."