Can campaigners stop Grange Lido being filled in?
17th January, 2019
The iconic Grange Lido – the only seaside left in the north west – is in danger of being filled in and turned into an ornamental garden. Can campaigners change councillors minds before the concrete and compost arrives?
Grange Lido is a still a beautiful sight, despite being closed since 1993. But the council that owns it are moving towards filling it in, with a key meeting on the 23rd January.
Save Grange Lido are moving to stop it, working with Studio Octopi to present plans for a 50m six lane unheated pool, a heated 25m pool alongside a paddling and play pool. The complex would also boast a community space, restaurant, sauna, steam room and shop.
The plans have been drawn up by architects Studio Octopi and commissioned by community group Save Grange Lido Community Benefit Society (SGL). SGL have presented proposals to South Lakeland District Council which will see the group raise funds to restore the Grade II Listed facility and operate the site as a not for profit community venture. The group plan to raise the funds to renovate the pool, which closed in 1993, alongside the SLDC’s current scheme to repair the buildings. SGL were recently awarded a match funding grant of £6,265 by the Architectural Heritage Fund to progress its plans. AHF is part funded by Historic England which is the official body responsible for the country’s historic buildings.
SGL will be presenting their case to the Council’s Cabinet at 10am on the 23rd January, the Cabinet will make recommendations to the Full Council. In these meetings key decisions will be made for the future of the Lido.
SGL Director and Company Secretary David Dawson says: “We started off as a group of concerned residents, enthusiastic about saving and restoring this iconic pool and now, incorporated as SGL, we hope to persuade the Council to approve our plans for the pool. We would then be well placed to work with SLDC to help restore the derelict Lido, as community facility and world-class visitor attraction, to make the people of Grange proud.”
The architects Studio Octopi were chosen because of their experience in swimming pool design. They are currently working on London’s first floating lido since 1875 (www.thamesbaths.com), rebuilding Peckham Lido in in south east London and Swimmobile, a pool on the back of a truck!
- www.Savegrangelido.co.uk
- www.facebook.com/GrangeLido/
- @savegrangelido
- Drawing credits: www.octopi.co.uk
- See the abandoned pool from the air: Youtube
- Image: Studio Octopi/ Picture Plane