Concerns have been raised over the business model, as well as parking and access for Abbey Fields' new leisure centre by Kenilworth Town Council.

Last night (March 18) KTC's planning committee met to discuss Warwick District Council's planning applications for both leisure developments in the town.

However, no decision to object nor support either application was made, after town councillors were advised by Warwick District Council that significant extra information was to be added to the applications.

As such KTC agreed only to discuss the proposals and await further information before making any substantive comment.

Discussions over Abbey Fields, which lasted nearly twice as long as those for Castle Farm, centred on a number of issues.

As well as energy usage, flooding, and aesthetic design, issues were raised surrounding the business model for the new swimming pool, as well as access and the impact on the rest of the park.

Business model

Speaking at last night's meeting Cllr Rob Barry (Green, Park Hill) said: "given the massive levels of objections, I think that the applicant should reassess what swimming provision is wanted locally, and what is actually practical in Abbey Fields. I don't think that the case has been made strongly enough.

"It is not too late to do this. District council has already spent quite a lot of money getting to this stage, but anybody with any economic background will know about sunk cost; you don't allow money you have already spent to be part of a decision on proceeding and spending more money."

Cllr Pippa Austin (Grn, Park Hill) agreed saying: "this business plan was drawn up in 2018 and quite a lot has changed since then. Cllr Barry mentioned one of the local competitors, but there are now five local pools where lessons can be obtained and the majority of the objections to this application were around loss of the lido and potential advantages to the community, tourism and the economy."

It was conceded however, that the business case was not necessarily a planning matter.

Parking and access

With the latest estimates predicting an additional 250 visitors per day Cllr Austin also raised concerns over transport: "I do wonder whether Abbey Fields could cope with a big influx of people and cars."

Cllr Andrew Milton (Lib Dem, St John's) echoed this "I am thinking particularly around car parking in reference with Square West as a potential option for parking. I think what that does miss is a consideration for the practicality of getting from the square west to the Abbey Fields site; particularly I am thinking about after dark, I wouldn't recommend it as a safe route.

"Thinking about the number of people that will be involved in pushing push chairs up that very steep hill, taking children to lessons doesn't seem entirely particularly practical. So I think some sort of better response in terms of getting people to the facilities needs to be provided."

Cllr Alan Chalmers (Lib Dem, Borrowell) added: "I think to add an extra 250 cars into a place that is already very saturated with the pool closed is also unrealistic. I suggest that the highways should really come up with some alternatives and look into that."

Jane Green of the Lido Campaign Group has also raised concerns over access, particularly at night.

Speaking to Nub News she said: "The routes for swimmers will be along two paths, one unlit and edged by a low wall to the graveyard and then mature trees and play park, and the other longer and dimly lit and edged by mature trees and tennis courts.

"Both are mostly out of sight or earshot of the nearest houses and so have no natural surveillance.

"This week, following the murder of Sarah Everard, the wellbeing and safety of pedestrians, particularly women, in public places is uppermost in peoples' minds and the Government has promised better street lighting.

"Will WDC continue with its scheme for a major city-type swimming facility in the middle of a rural park without safe access in the dark?"

Impact on the park

Cllr Kate Dickson: "We recognise that the Abbey Fields is set aside as recreation facilities for the town, it will be necessary for some of these facilities to be restricted when the construction is taking place, but I think it would be useful to us to be consulted on these scheme as there are ways that we could suggest to minimise the impact.

"I was also wondering whether we could make a comment; during Covid we have seen how well-used the fields have been and that we feel this will have an affect on the overall number of people using the fields.

"I think it is only likely to be increased from pre-covid times than decreased."

Cllr Chalmers also raised concerns regarding impact to the child's play area adjacent to the development site. This continued into a wider concern regarding the placement of the electric substation near the zip wire. This is a point that has also been raised by the Friends of Abbey Fields group.

Cllr John Dearing said: "I don't think it is a good idea to have this close to children; it is also in a flood zone, and I don't think that there should be an electric substation sitting in a flood zone, I think that is ridiculous."

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