Pool regeneration plans expanded

Local people have demanded the pool be reopened

More land is to be made available to developers at the site of a troubled community swimming pool.

Berners Pool in Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, closed in July 2006 with debts of £200,000, three years after opening.

This August, two potential rescue bids to take over the £3.5m pool were deemed unsuitable by South Lakeland Council.

Now the authority, which wants to regenerate the area, will offer a wider expanse of land as a site for leisure facilities, homes and businesses.

'Important site'

Berners was built to replace Grange's old open air pool and local people raised much of its £3.5m cost, but the facility was taken over by the council when it went into liquidation.

A petition demanding the pool be re-opened was signed by more than 700 residents.

Councillors say they hope to retain a pool at the site, while regenerating the wider area.

Peter Thornton, the council's portfolio holder for community and wellbeing, said: "It is clear that the expanded Berners site presents an opportunity to play a major role in the regeneration of Grange-Over-Sands.

"This is an important site and I am committed to including the people of Grange and its town council in the decisions to be made."

The new approach follows consultation with regeneration experts, as well as local people, businesses and public bodies.