Former Oadby pool to be sold in bid to regenerate town

The site of a town's former swimming pool is to be sold in a move that a council hopes will regenerate the area.

Oadby pool, in Leicestershire, closed in 2014 and was replaced by Parklands Leisure Centre.

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council plans to sell the site and use the money to redevelop an adjacent site as a community facility.

However, the local MP said residents had also wanted the swimming pool site to be retained for community use.

The council said it would also potentially use funds raised from the pool sale to improve Ellis Park.

The borough's local plan already allocates most of the land, which includes the former pool and car parking at the front, as residential development.

The council said the land - and the nearby tennis court - was now on the market and that all types of development offers were welcome, subject to them gaining consent.

The bowling green and pavilion stand are not included in the sale and the council hopes to improve them using the money raised from the sale of the neighbouring land.

It said it planned to consult with residents about what the new community facility would look like but, in the meantime, they would remain available for use by the bowls club and community groups.

John Boyce, council leader, said: "It's time for a developer to unlock the site's potential.

"The money raised is ringfenced for community benefit - all of the proceeds will go towards creating a far superior community facility for the town as well as possible improvements to Ellis Park.

"We're looking forward to talking to local residents, community groups and other key stakeholders to ensure the way the money is spent maximises the community offer in the town."

However Neil O'Brien, the Conservative MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, said: "Whilst it is welcome that the council are finally acting after seven long years, this news will come as a bitter disappointment for residents who desperately wanted to see this site used for a community facility.

"Instead, the council are simply wishing to flog the land to the highest bidder, something they could have done several years ago.

"I will be pressing the council to make sure local residents are properly consulted on how the money will be spent to ensure [it] meets the needs of the community."

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