Don’t rush plans for Littlehampton’s swimming centre

The decision was made during Arun District Council’s latest meeting of its leisure, tourism and infrastructure working group, on Monday evening.

Under the watchful gaze of about 30 members of the public, councillors debated the pros and cons of moving the Sea Road facility to the north of the town.

Many of the councillors expressed their concerns about a feasibility study submitted by The Sports Consultancy, which recommended that the current sports centre is demolished and a new £12m facility built to the west of the Daisyfields caravan park.

Chairman of the working group and Beach ward councillor, Dr James Walsh, said to rush ahead with this recommendation would be a ‘slap in the face’ for all the campaigners who strongly opposed such a move.

Dr Walsh said: “There is huge opposition continuing in Littlehampton and wider afield to this.

“People are so keen to keep the current site that they would even put up with the loss of a facility for 18 months to keep the pool where it is.”

For the full story, see today’s Littlehampton Gazette (Thursday, July 3).