Council approves plans to revamp Tooting Bec lido – Britain’s largest open-air freshwater pool
By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter
A lido is set to be revamped with a new entrance, café, sauna, toilets, showers and changing facilities.
Wandsworth council has approved the plans for Tooting Bec lido, which is the biggest open-air freshwater pool in the UK.
The plans from South London Swimming Club (SLSC) and WR-AP Architects will improve facilities at the shallow end of the open-air pool, which dates back to 1906.
The lido is currently closed as the council is carrying out separate major repair works totaling almost £4million.
A new entrance will be built at the north end of the 91-metre-long lido under the new plans from SLSC and WR-AP, with a reception, toilets, cafe, security accommodation and cycle parking.
The new cafe will serve people through two kiosk hatches – one facing Tooting Common and the other facing the pool. The existing entrance, toilets and showers will be demolished.
The existing cafe will be revamped, subject to building surveys, to become a shelter in summer and clubroom in winter.
It will have new accessible changing facilities and shower blocks at either side. The sauna will be relocated, while new gender-neutral showers and toilets and family changing facilities will be built around the pool’s edge.
The lido was scheduled to reopen this summer after shutting in November last year for the works to be carried out, but this was delayed after the council discovered issues during the repairs – including previously-unknown buried asbestos. The council said it was working to reopen the lido as soon as possible when it revealed the delay in May.
SLSC said on its website that its works on the lido would be scheduled at a future date after the council’s project had been completed.
The council approved the plans after officers ruled they were “compatible with the character and appearance of the surrounding area” and would have “no adverse impact on neighbouring properties”.
The lido is operated by the council’s leisure centre contractor Places Leisure and it is used by SLSC in winter. It hosts the National Cold Water Swimming Championships every two years.
Pictured top: An artist’s impression of the revamped Tooting Bec lido (Picture: WR-AP SLSC/Wandsworth council)