Councillors’ fury at Bexhill pool plans

BATTLE councillors have reacted angrily to suggestions that Bexhill could soon have a new swimming pool - while the pool at Claverham remains out of action.

Rother District Council is to spend £30,000 to carry out a feasibility study with a view to opening a new sports centre on the former Bexhill High School site.

District Cllr Angharad Davies told Battle town councillors the new centre could include a swimming pool, possibly replacing the pool at the Ravenside Retail Park.

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Cllr Davies said: “The swimming pool contract is coming up for renewal. The place is getting tired and it needs a big injection of funds.

“The feasibility study will see whether we can have a super new swimming pool on site.”

But the suggestion was greeted with anger by some town councillors as Battle’s only swimming pool remains closed to the public.

Claverham Community College pool forms part of the shared community use facilities at Battle Sports Centre.

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The pool was closed to the public last season and remains closed due to ‘maintenance issues’, including damaged paving slabs, frost damage to the pool tank and a crack in the pool tank.

Claverham pupils are allowed to use the facility with supervision.

Cllr Paula Fisher said it was ‘outrageous’ Rother was spending money on the feasibility study while Claverham’s pool goes to ‘rack and ruin’.

Cllr Fisher said: “I’m very disappointed that (pool) cannot be much nearer to Battle.

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“Children in Battle have a very poor deal as far as swimming is concerned.

“Years ago parents were allowed to dig a swimming pool at Claverham, which has been allowed to go to rack and ruin.”

Cllr Jeremy Eldridge said: “It would be nice to think they (Rother) could give a bit of thought to getting the school children from Battle to this new complex.”

East Sussex County Council is examining what work is needed at Claverham’s pool but cannot say when the facility will re-open to the public.