Plans for lido in Midhurst

The project is being led by the town council which said a pool in Midhurst has been a 'long time in the planning'.

Cllr Jeanette Sutton said: "The idea emerged because it was what people kept saying when the district council plan by the Grange didn't look like it was going to be a Waitrose."

The site of the former Grange, bulldozed in 2014, has been empty for more than six and three attempts to sell it for a supermarket have failed. Plans were abandoned in 2017.

"The plot of land is still there. Midhurst Vision asked everybody what they wanted," Jeanette said, and the response came back overwhelmingly in support of a swimming pool.

The former Grange site is not owned by the town council and not affordable either but the town council does own land on Carron Lane.

"The swimming pool, if this comes off and gets planning permission, would take several years but because we own that land we decided to invest a small amount of money investigating it to find out if it would be."

Charlie Boher is a Midhurst architect tasked with coming up with the designs for the lido.

He said: "If we can keep materials as local as possible it builds for a sustainable story. We are hoping that it will become carbon neutral.

"It's great. It's nice to do a project that is designed to benefit the community rather than just by costing.

"We have almost got three clients: the town council, the national park and the community."

Midhurst Town Council called it an ambitious project which may cost around £2 million and said it would need a 'strong backing' from the town to proceed.

Charlie said the plan is for the lido to echo the historic former Midhurst brick works.

Trees felled to make way for the site would also be used for parts of the building including wooden panelling on the site of in the shape of the South Downs National Park logo.

The designs also show how the building goes into a slope at the back of the building and it is hoped the hill will be covered in a wildflower meadow.

A statement from a town council spokesman said: "This proposal could mean completely removing the need to go to Haslemere or Chichester just for a swim.

"Our children can learn to swim without travelling miles to a pool, people can keep fit, meet friends, enjoy a summer’s day by the water and more.

"The plans are realistic and allow Midhurst to do all that in a way that is sustainable and achievable for a community of our size."

Funds would come from the council tax, grants and also from Community Infrastructure Levy's (CIL) which is money generated by development companies working in the area.

Jeanette Sutton added her thoughts on the plans: "I think it is sympathetic and I think it will minimise the noise and impact on the environment and I think it will fit in as well as you'd expect — we look forward to seeing the final results."

You can find out more about the plans and fill out the survey here: midhurstlido.co.ukResidents are said to be in favour of having a lido in the town some have shared concerns about its potential placement.

What are your thought on the plans? Let us know by emailing midhurst@jpimedia.co.uk