Meeting over pool demolition plan

Campaigners want to keep Forest hill Pool's Victorian frontage

Residents who are against plans to demolish a 124-year-old swimming pool have met council officials.

Lewisham Council plans to build flats and a leisure centre in south-east London by demolishing Forest Hill Pool and neighbouring Louise House.

But residents want the council to retain the pool's Victorian frontage.

The council is now considering the future of the pool after English Heritage recently granted Louise House grade II listed status.

The pool in Dartmouth Road, which dates back to 1884, has been closed since 2006 for refurbishment and was deemed too dangerous for the public to enter.

'Well-loved frontage'

In February the council approved plans to redevelop the site and replace it with a £9.5m new leisure centre which will include a six lane 25m pool, fitness facilities and flats.

Campaigner Tim Walden said: "All we are asking the council to do is to retain the familiar and very well-loved frontage block over the Victorian swimming pools and build the new swimming pool behind.

"That way we will get the best of the historic heritage built with the new pool behind."

Forest Hill Pool will be replaced with a £9.5m leisure centre

English Heritage said Forest Hill Pool had been considered but not recommended for listed status.

Protesters said this news has given their campaign a boost.

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said following this move it needed to "consider carefully the implications for the development of the Forest Hill Pool site".

Councillor Chris Best, cabinet member for community services, said: "As a council we are committed to providing first-class leisure facilities on the site and in expanding and improving the swimming pools across the borough."

Supporting the council's stance Colin Brown, the director of London Swimming, said: "I think as a governing body for sport we feel passionate about swimming but what we want to make sure is that the right facilities are in the right places for the population."