1,600 call for Shifnal to get swimming pool
More than 1,600 people have signed a petition in Shifnal calling for a swimming pool to be built in the town.
More than 1,600 people have signed a petition in Shifnal calling for a swimming pool to be built in the town.
Campaigners have now handed the petition to Shropshire Council in the hope it will highlight the strength of feeling in the town.
The appeal for a pool in the town has been running for decades, but two developers are now including land for a swimming pool as part of their housing proposals.
Kevin Turley, spokesman for the swimming pool committee, said the petition was not making demands but they wanted a pool to be made a priority.
He said: “We have 1,600 signatures and there are lots of the town where I have not been to collect signatures.
“But I will keep the fight going because we will carry on even if Shropshire Council do not support the development schemes which include the swimming pools.
“We really want to get the council on board, but with Localism going forward this is one area where the residents can take control rather than rely on Shropshire Council,” he added.
A swimming pool is being included in housing development plans by Lioncourt Homes, based in Droitwich, who want to build 400 homes off Haughton Road.
They have offered a serviced piece of land for just £1.
Mr Turley said Pegasus Development had also included a swimming pool site in their housing proposals for land off Coppice Green Lane.
He said: “They are looking at building more houses in the town but we have got to support the infrastructure.
“We need to keep the High Street going by creating more things to do in the area.
“A swimming pool would be a great addition to the town.”
By Judith Sanders
Comments for: "1,600 call for Shifnal to get swimming pool"
oswestrian
I wonder how much the residents of Shifnal want their council tax to go up to pay for this?
There is not just the cost of building the pool, there is the cost of running it. Ask the people of Wem who took over their swimming pool when N Shropshire Council was going to close it.
Mr Hurlstone
...the swimming pool will be built on the ground of shifnal town FC
...where will they move the football club to?
AWJ
Incorrect!
The swimming pool will be built on the land Lioncourt Homes has under option, which is off Haughton Road. Nothing to do with the football club.
Mr Hurlstone
they are also looking at land on coppice green lane if you were at last meeting, field just past the school and also the football club would relocate
J. Jones
SHIFNAL cannot AFFORD a SWIMMING POOL. This is a fact! It is one thing to build it but it is quite another paying to maintain it. Shropshire council have handed most of their existing pools over to a private contractor to manage. The last thing needed in Shifnal is for yet another rise in Rates. Shifnal residents already pay much more than other towns. There are plenty of pools close by for the people of shifnal to use.
kt
do these people think money grows on trees?
nuts
its only 5 min drive to telford from here
jeffb
Lets be realistic the town has a population of 7000, many elderly I think money could be better spent than p[providing a swimming pool.
paul d
How many are actually from Shifnal? Most people will sign a petition if its put in front of them.
liverbird
4,000 people signed a petition demanding a cardboard recycling collection but shropshire council ignored that. time for an election me thinks kick these tories where it hurts them most
helen
liverbird-
'4,000 people signed a petition demanding a cardboard recycling collection'
Yes, and 7,500 signed one opposing the closure of The Wakeman. I really can't see Shropshire Council agreeing to prioritise a new pool in Shifnal. This is a council that closes schools and day centres and cuts free meals-on-wheels. It sells care homes and leisure centres. It doesn't believe in providing services or listening to its electorate. As you said, we need to vote them out.
twisting my melon
" I really can't see Shropshire Council agreeing to prioritise a new pool in Shifnal "..
Me neither, although Telford and Wrekin Council might..
alan
Surely as its only a few minutes drive to Telford we could have a super sized decent pool in Telford and all people from ironbridge, shifnal, wenlock and albrighton could share a larger central pool that would be more economically viable
Melvin
So the developers are only providing the land? I hope the council will see sense and do not grant an allocation on the back of such a paltry offer!
I would love a swimming pool in the town; however, I cannot see this coming forward without the developers offering the land AND a 5/10 year financial servicing package, but would this viable from a developers point of view??
Sal Jones
OMG what a ridiculous idea if every town in Shropshire was allowed a pool of its own the council would be bankrupt their would be pools in all sorts of tiny remote villages like wem and bishops castle, it would never.... oh wait, yes thats exactly what happens when weak politicians with no budgetary grip run things, the mob rule of loud special interest groups with elections looming forcing them to spend OUR taxes on THEIR hobbies!
kerry joyce
what a nonesense idea, the main county pool in shrewsbury which delivers millions of swims per year is in dire need of restoration and they want a new one just to save them a 10 mile drive! Nonesense
twisting my melon
10 miles ??
ceri
why go to shrewsbury, there is a really good pool in wellingotn just 4 miles away (10 minute drive Max!)
mary f
this is a really bad idea which will just store up future problems its not economical!
just look at Bishops Castle to see how affordable it is to have swimming pools in minor market towns /villages
(High subsidy per visitor causing cutbacks for the whole site from B.C. news http://www.jollypages.co.uk/castlenews/?p=1504 )
Mr Hurlstone
the school would benefit from the pool with 1400 using it, not just the people of shifnal, the school brings in people from all over Telford, but the football club would go, as land on coppice green lane is under consideration for housing
helen
Mr Hurlstone-
I'm sure a pool would be lovely and beneficial to the community as you say, but we are in a recession that is unlikely reverse under the current government and have a council which is quite happy to cut existing absolute necessities- schools, day centres, free meals on wheels etc etc- and you are asking them to support the building of a completely new leisure service. They are in the process of selling off many of our existing leisure services, including the swimming pool in the quarry. They also have a record of ignoring far bigger petitions than this one. The tory councillors wouldn't even support the 30,000 strong petition calling for the NHS trust to retain women and children's services in Shrewsbury- I can't see them listening to yours.
twiggo
Shropshire Council doesn't want swimming pools - it is selling off the ones its got in a few months time to a private company. I think the good folks of Shifnal are wasting their time.
twisting my melon
While we're on the case of asking Councils for stuff. Is there any chance Madeley can have a Beach..
Surf's Up
Not unless Oswestry gets one first...