Plans for the redevelopment of the Edwardian public baths in King’s Meadow have moved a step closer after the council agreed to go ahead with the lease of the land to Thames Lido.
Reading Borough Council‘s policy committee approved the plans at Monday night’s meeting after considering the six objections to the proposal to lease the building and an area between it and the public car park to a company for 250 years.
Liberal democrat and Tilehurst ward councillor Ricky Duveen was the only member to vote against proceeding with the plans. He objected to the 250-year lease term, labelling it “outrageous”.
Cllr Tony Page called Cllr Duveen a “hypocrite” for complaining for years nothing was being done with the site and now complaining when something is being done.
He continued: “This is a deal that is recognised throughout Reading as being a very good one. There was only six objections.”
Council leader Cllr Jo Lovelock said: “This just simply wouldn’t be happening if we gave a five or 10 year lease. He (Cllr Duveen) needs to get over this which he keeps bringing up whenever he can.
“Hopefully we can look forward to refurbishment happening very soon. Most people are asking when is it going to happen and are looking forward to having this facility in the town.”
The approved plan includes the provision of new changing rooms prior to the demolition of the existing changing rooms, provision of new access from Napier Road to King’s Meadow, an as yet unspecified sum of cash towards transport plans in central Reading and connection to a local decentralised energy scheme if one becomes available.
The baths were Grade Two listed, following a public campaign, in 2004 and the building needs £200,000 spending on it just to prevent further deterioration.
This is the third attempt to sell the baths over the past 10 years.
The building was last used as a public open-air swimming pool – fed with water from the River Thames – in the 1970s.
What do you think about the proposals for King’s Meadow? Let us know in the comments below
Open all references in tabs: [1 – 5]