A HISTORIC swimming pool is being demolished with hopes to replace it with a waterpark.
Demolition work has already begun on the site to make way for a new facility with kitesurfing, paddleboarding and kayaking features.
Eastney Swimming Pool in Southsea, Portsmouth closed its doors during the Covid pandemic in 2020, after first opening in 1904.
The pool never reopened, and was described by Portsmouth City Council as an outdated building that was in a dangerous condition.
But campaigners have attempted to reverse the decision by the council to demolish the pool.
They instead called for a new leisure centre to be built at Bransbury Park.
Major “defects” were highlighted by the council at Eastney Swimming Pool, making them consider it “obsolete”.
In a Portsmouth City Council statement, they said: “We understand Eastney pool meant a lot to some residents.
“However, the building, closed permanently since 2020, was in poor condition, inaccessible, and not fit for use.
“The decision to demolish it followed all proper procedures, with public reports and objections heard.
“Historic England declined to list it twice, and the £8 million renovation cost couldn’t be justified.”
The city council has subsequently hoped for the pool to be demolish as soon as possible on grounds of safety and it not being suitable for repairs.
The pool had also been a target for a number of break-ins.
Planning permission for demolition of the site was granted on Wednesday, October 1.
Building facilities like changing rooms, storage and showers, as well as it’s own restaurant, are also included in the plans.
“It has been an ambition of the council to provide a facility like this for many years, so it’s great news that we can start to move forward on this project,” said Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth Council.
“We have a real opportunity to create something that enhances this very unique environment, so we need to make sure we get this right.
Portsmouth City Council has allocated £100,000 for the historic pool’s demolition.
A council report said: “The demolition works do not fall within any of the criteria listed where development is not permitted.”
Crews have moved in swiftly start works on the demolition.
It comes as no valid planning reason was established to refuse it.
Historic England concluded that Eastney Swimming Pool does not have any special architectural or historic interests that would make it a nationally listed site, The News reports.
This is despite the pool historically being used as a training ground World War II heroes .
Eastney Swimming Pool was famously used by the Cockleshell Heroes to train ahead of Operation Frankton.
The mission saw 13 Royal Marines attempt to paddle in kayaks to blow up German ships in the occupied part of Bordeaux in 1942.
Only two of the marines survived the partially successful raid.
The pool was also one of the first venues to host underwater hockey – octopush – matches.
The council added: “Portsmouth continues to honour the Cockleshell Heroes through memorials, plaques, and the newly named Cockleshell Island nearby.
“A short-term ‘pop-up’ offer on the site is being explored, and for the long term, we’re looking at successful water sport centres in Brighton and Littlehampton as models.”
A ‘public engagement’ was held earlier this year to take into account community hopes for the site and its plans.
Work on the new Bransbury Park Leisure Centre is also expected to start next year as part of a £23.4 million project.
It will include a four-lane 25m pool, learner pool, a relocated GP surgery for patients at Devonshire Avenue, a fitness suite, spin and multi-purpose studios and a relocated playground.
