THE public can now have their say on plans for a new swimming pool in Pitsea.

Basildon councillors voted to undertake an appraisal on the development of a swimming pool at Eversley Leisure Centre in Crest Avenue at a meeting in September.

The leisure centre, owned by Basildon Council and managed by Everyone Active, has a 65 station health and fitness suite, workout and spin studios, is used as a base by South Essex Gymnastics Club and has an artificial football pitch.

David Harrison, Chair of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces committee, said: “The borough needs additional swimming pool provision to meet the needs of our growing population.

“The addition of a swimming pool to Eversley leisure centre would complete the centre’s status as the sports hub for Pitsea and could be a very exciting development for the area, which has been deprived a local pool for some time now.

“I would like to encourage members of the public to give us their views on the proposal.”

Funding for the project, around £2 million, was secured in 2018 by the previous administration, but it cannot press ahead unless support by the public is shown.

If it goes ahead, the pool at Eversley would measure at 20 metres long.

At the same meeting in September, councillors approved plans to expand the swimming pool in Billericay instead of rebuilding it.

Around £6 million will be allocated to the expansion works on the building, which is already being renovated after a fire in September last year.

Luke Mackenzie, Tory councillor for Pitsea, said: When Cllr Craig Rimmer (also of Pitsea) and I were first elected, the message on the door was that people wanted a new swimming pool in Pitsea.

“We then set to work to make this happen and in the last budget we secured the commitment and funding for the project.

“I am pleased that the consultation has finally launched after some delay.

“It’s vital that as many people respond as possible as we need to evidence the demand for the pool in order for it to get the final go-ahead.”

Councillors will consider the appraisal and the public consultation at its next meeting on November 27.

The deadline to complete the survey is midnight on October 27.

Visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/pitseapool