IPSWICH.CO.UK Reports: Twenty-three years of hope and heartbreak: Why Broomhill Pool campaigners refuse to give up. An appeal to Ipswich Borough Council and National Lottery Heritage Fund.

by broomhillpooltrust

7 November, 2025 By Oliver Rouane-Williams. See full story at: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/articles/why-broomhill-pool-campaigners-refuse-to-give-up

Despite two failed attempts to secure funding for one of Britain’s finest lidos, the Broomhill Pool Trust chairman is urging stakeholders to “finally get the project over the line” – arguing the scheme is ready-made with planning permission, design approval, and unprecedented public support.

2 thoughts on “IPSWICH.CO.UK Reports: Twenty-three years of hope and heartbreak: Why Broomhill Pool campaigners refuse to give up. An appeal to Ipswich Borough Council and National Lottery Heritage Fund.”

  1. we need this beautiful piece of architecture back in use , don’t give up the fight we all support you , the town of Ipswich needs this so much for health and mental wellbeing

    1. Hi Denise, thank your for your wonderful support and encouragement!

      Resilience aside, the Trust and its supporters remain committed to the lido restoration because it is the common sense and most financial prudent outcome.
      We’d have given up long before now if we did not believe that the restoration is the best of the options for IBC and its taxpayers.
      Time and time again it have been proven that the restoration represents the best option and outcome.

      This is a Grade II listed building, built with protected parkland (Broomhill Park).
      The covenants only allow for recreational use. Demolition of the pool, remediation and stabilisation of the site would cost in excess of £1m+ for absolutely no gain.
      This is a derelict building that has cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of £ to keep closed.
      The best option for Ipswich taxpayers is a successful restoration whereby they can see a 300% return for their capital.

      2003 Steering group, 2006 Business and Project Plan, 2009-2011 All Options Appraisal, 2013-2015 Heritage Lottery Fund Stage 1, 2017 Heritage Lottery Fund Stage 2. 2023 Revised Grants.
      All have been overseen by respected quantity surveyors like Castons, and architects like KLH. They have been scrutinised by Fusion who was to be operator, Ipswich Borough, and National Lottery Heritage Fund.

      This project has secured the first major lottery spend in the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich constituency in 30 years, and one of the biggest ever for Ipswich at £6.8m.
      Broomhill will DOUBLE Ipswich’s swim capacity for public schools and competition swimming. 23 Ipswich school pools have been closed by Suffolk County Council in the past 30 years.
      Broomhill’s scale opens it up to swimming lessons, endurance sports, triathlon, sub-aqua, sailing, canoeing, life savings, and water polo.

      It is the common-sense thing to do. The Trust will continue to positively lobby Ipswich Borough Council & National Lottery Heritage Fund towards the right outcome.

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