Boost for community campaign to save pool
A SWIMMING pool in North Yorkshire that campaigners have been fighting to save now cannot be sold without locals having the chance to buy it – and hopes are growing that a community group will be able to take it on.
The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), which owns New Earswick swimming pool in York, must offer the site to community groups before it can be sold off after it was listed as an asset of community value.
The Friends of New Earswick Swimming Pool (FoNESP) applied for the listing, saying the pool is well used and is a benefit to people in the area.
The group has been fighting the pool’s closure since autumn last year when the JRHT announced the pool was losing £132,000 a year and needed £1.3m in repairs, and would have to close. The campaigners now hope to lease the pool and run it for the community.
Andrew Calverley, the cochairman of the Friends’ group, said it would be submitting a full business plan later this week, and expects a decision from the JRHT in June.
A trust spokesman added: “During the past few months, we have worked closely with the FoNESP to give them advice, guidance and support. For example, we have twice extended the deadline for them to deliver a robust business case.
“We have also offered significant internal resources to assist with the preparation of their business case.”