Outdoor seawater swimming pool could get go-ahead

A campaign to create an outdoor tidal swimming pool in a coastal town could be given the go-ahead after being backed by councillors.

The Scarborough Safe Sea Swimming Project was discussed by the Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee of North Yorkshire Council at its meeting on Friday.

The plan is to build a three-sided seawater pool at the Children's Corner, at the top of Scarborough South Bay, which would have sand running into it and a sheltered beach and bathing area for children.

Councillor Rich Maw said that outdoor swimming in Scarborough was already "growing rapidly in popularity".

He said: "This idea began in the simplest of ways – with a letter from two local sea swimmers who asked me, 'How do we build a swimming pool?'

"That one question has grown into a meaningful conversation, and now, the foundations of a community-led and deliverable plan.

"Scarborough's South and North Bays are already loved by sea swimmers year-round. Cold water swimming is growing rapidly in popularity and for good reason."

He acknowledged that there were some risks to sea swimming, as "currents, and cold water shock make it inaccessible for many and potentially dangerous for some".

The site at Children's Corner, which is located just south of the busy town centre beach and adjacent to the historic Scarborough Spa, was agreed as the preferred location by the Scarborough Sea Swimming Community Interest Company (CIC) andcouncil officers.

A feasibility study was also presented to councillors, while campaigners who had initiated the project looked on from the public gallery above, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The study was commissioned by North Yorkshire Council and was completed by outdoor swimming specialists and architects Studio Octopi.

Other committee members, including councillors Heather Phillips, Liz Colling and Roberta Swiers, also spoke in favour of the plan.

According to All the Lidos, there are five other public outdoor swimming pools in Yorkshire, including Alpamare Waterpark in Scarborough's North Bay area.

The feasibility study recommended the submission of a pre-planning application, "given the unique and rare nature of tidal pool projects".

The Scarborough Sea Swimming CIC will now work through the next stages of development, but the committee said it was eager to assist the group if it could.

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