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The joint meeting between the Hadleigh Pool Steering and Working Groups held on 24th January has requested that detailed plans be worked on for two alternatives for a possible new pool in the town.
The first alternative is for a six lane (one more than at present) 25m pool. The second is for the same sized pool plus a dance and fitness studio. This latter alternative was preferred to the original recommendation to investigate an improved like-for-like replacement (ie a five lane, 25m facility).
According to Cllr. Nick Ridley, Chairman of the Hadleigh Pool Steering Group “the decision to push ahead with the detailed study that will look in depth at design, financing and planning issues shows that all of the partners are in earnest about achieving a long-term solution”.
“However, the inclusion of a potentially more expensive alternative than originally expected – albeit one that could generate more revenue through the extra facilities – puts the issue of affordability even more under the spotlight. Even the first option will cost at least £1.2m more than the expected figure of £3.25m”.
“That is why, in the spirit of partnership between us we will help to investigate this option. However, Babergh remains concerned about how such a sum of money could be raised”.
“We would urge Hadleigh Town Council to join with us as soon as possible to enter into joint negotiations for the sale of both our respective pieces of land near to the Brett Works site”.
The report with a detailed evaluation of both alternatives was published in the early summer of 2007 - Report G73 (PDF, 69kb)
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