Destiny of Coventry’s listed swimming baths to be thought-about

Plans to demolish a Grade II listed constructing housing a former swimming baths are to be thought-about by Coventry City Council.

The outdated swimming pool constructing and neighbouring former leisure centre, referred to as The Elephant, on Fairfax Street, have been closed since 2020.

Attempts through the years to discover a new use have failed and the positioning prices taxpayers about £400,000 a 12 months to take care of, the native authority mentioned.

Councillors will focus on listed constructing consent for potential demolition of the baths constructing on 12 November. Under the plans, nevertheless, the close by Elephant constructing can be protected, with work persevering with to seek out new house owners to make sure its future, Councillor Jim O’Boyle mentioned.

He mentioned: “I’m pleased to say that thanks to really close working with Historic England they have agreed to not oppose this plan.”

O’Boyle mentioned: “There has been extensive work in trying to find a suitable use for the [baths] site, but despite our best efforts this has been unsuccessful and the buildings remain empty.”

“This means a prominent space in our city is being left to decay and is costing taxpayers thousands of pounds every year. This cannot be allowed to continue.

“We would have liked to guard Cov baths, it is part of our metropolis, and has a spot in many individuals’s hearts, however we should discover a strategy to carry this space again to life.”

He said the first step was to secure permission for demolition, while still protecting the Elephant, adding that the council hoped to create “one thing particular” that would be loved by future generations.

The council has secured £50,000 grant funding from Homes England so a regeneration scheme can be drawn up.

Coventry’s swimming pools are now provided at The Wave and the Alan Higgs Centre.

If accredited, it’s anticipated demolition will begin within the subsequent three years.