Joanne Carlier sees the need for a new swimming pool (Oct 1), but believes instead of going to local greens, residents will have to get in their cars or get a bus to an open space or pay for the sporting village.
I reiterate the fact that open space will remain at all of the three sites that have been much publicised over the past few weeks – Kent View Road, Pound Lane and Felmores.
The Felmores site is a small parcel of land that is part of Northlands Park and at Kent View Road there will still be much open space left, and indeed improved according to the outline planning application.
At Pound Lane, we have withdrawn the application and are looking at proposals that would only see the development of the car park and disused community hall. It must be remembered that improved open space will remain at all of the sites.
Over £500,000 could also be reinvested at these sites to re-provide play and sports equipment and improve the quality of the open space that will remain.
Residents and their families will still be able to enjoy smaller, but much improved open spaces in their local areas, while also having the opportunity to use the sporting village where it will be only £3.35 for a standard adult swim, £2.05 for a senior citizen, or £1.70 for disabled and low income users. The sporting village will be affordable for our local community.
The need for a new swimming pool is well known and largely undisputable.
To not do this is not an option and we believe the proposals we have put forward to deliver this for the whole community may well be unpopular in some areas, but for the good of the whole borough.
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