Cash snag over pool plan
Cannock Chase Leisure Centre will get a replacement swimming pool – if the council can find £4 million to build it – in a move which has all-party agreement.
Members of opposing parties voted in favour of the plans yesterday, but they will only come to fruition if funding is available.
The district council's planning committee gave the idea the thumbs-up but will need to hear more detailed plans at a later stage.
Labour's Zaphne Stretton accused the council of downsizing the facilities after the committee heard the new pool would be 25 metres in length rather than 33 metres.
But head of planning John Heminsley said the standard pool size was now 25 metres or 50 metres.
Deputy leader Councillor Phil Freeman said: "I fully endorse this plan.
"The present pool is on its last legs and there are bits falling out of the roof. It is on borrowed time and we have got to get these plans up and running."
Councillor Ray Easton said: "The pool is in a precarious situation and requires a lot of money spent on it. If that money is not spent we could see the swimming pool closed earlier than anticipated."
The council will make a fresh bid in the next round of Sport England funding but council bosses have admitted that they feel the chances of success are unlikely.
