Plans approved for open air pool on Brighton seafront

10th April, 2019

Brighton will have a new open air swimming pool in 2020, following the approval of Sea Lanes’ proposed development on Madeira Drive.

Revised plans for the scheme were submitted earlier this year, following Brighton and Hove City Council’s rejection of the original application in December 2018.

Joe McNulty, director of Sea Lanes Brighton, said: “We are delighted that Brighton & Hove City Council has granted us permission to go ahead with the first phase of our plans. Sea Lanes will benefit the local community by providing a heated outdoor pool, open all year round, that will introduce people to sea safety and provide Brighton with much needed additional swimming pool space.”

The 25-metre pool will “act as a gateway for those looking to gain confidence to swim in the sea as well as a fitness and training hub for public swimming, open water swimming events, triathlons, sea safety and lifeguard courses,” said Sea Lanes.

The site will also house 39 small business units and a food court with street food kiosks and an outdoor seating area. Adventure swimming holiday company SwimTrek are to base their headquarters in the complex, which is expected to generate more than 70 new jobs for the local area.

SwimTrek founder Simon Murie said: “Our vision has always been to encourage more people to experience the delights of swimming in open water. It’s exciting times for SwimTrek as we are a joint developer and the major tenant at the site. We want to be at the centre of the open water swimming community and SeaLanes will help put us there.”

Sea Lanes hope to begin construction later this year and will be running a summer pop-up on the site, featuring an endless pool, a sauna, spa and events such as yoga, community talks and film screenings.

Sea Lanes’ long-term plan remains to deliver a 50-metre swimming pool that becomes recognised as the national open water swimming centre.

Liz Lowe

www.sealanesbrighton.co.uk

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