Dear all,
I thought that you would appreciate an update on the Purley Pool project. You will recall that the previous administration in Croydon closed down the pool and refused to re-open it (not even bothering to bid for a share of the £100m Government funding to re-open leisure centres after Covid for Purley).
A pool for Purley is essential – it was previously used by 11 local schools, many charities and local people of all ages. A new pool and leisure centre will also provide a welcome lift to Purley town centre. I am therefore determined to see a proper pool and facilities re-opened in Purley.
The old pool had deteriorated under the previous administration in Croydon to the point that it could not be re-opened. However, I am pleased to say that a development agreement was signed-off at a Croydon Council Cabinet meeting on 25/10/23 between the Council as the Freeholder and the long-leaseholder Polaska to deliver the new pool and leisure centre. The project will see a brand new six lane pool, training pool, 80 station gym, studio facilities, café and car park as well a new public square and open route between the station and high street. There will be housing built on the site too, reserved for older people (many of whom will likely downsize from local larger houses, making those available for young families).
The draft plans for the site can be seen online here in an easy-to-read format: https://purleypool.co.uk/
I understand that the plans on the website above are currently being fine-tuned following feedback from local people over the past few months, and that the full planning application is likely to be submitted in a matter of weeks. The project is due to be completed in just over two years from now. I will obviously study the planning application carefully when it arrives, but the delivery of a new pool and leisure centre is clearly to be welcomed in principle. I’d like to thank Executive Mayor Jason Perry and the local Conservative councillors for their work on this project so far, which I have been supporting.
The Council paper on the project for this evening’s council meeting (11 pages) can be found here:
I will keep you updated as this project progresses. I hope that this note was useful and please do keep an eye on www.chrisphilp.com for further local news.
With kind regards,
Chris Philp
