Friends of Abbey Fields (FoAF), the volunteer-led group dedicated to looking after the grounds in Kenilworth's biggest park, has raised objections to the proposed developments at the leisure centre.

The public consultation, which ended last week, saw nearly 90 different individuals, groups, and organisations object to the multi-million pound development in Abbey Fields which would see the current leisure centre and outdoor swimming pool demolished and replaced by two indoor pools.

Kenilworth Town Council is set to discuss the developments tonight (March 18).

A spokesperson from FoAF has said: "Friends of Abbey Fields, like many other organisations and individuals in Kenilworth, has watched and listened to the deliberations regarding the redevelopment of the swimming pool.

"However, given the scale of the proposed redevelopment, the FoAF Committee, over the past 18 months, has also had discussions with WDC.

"In representing our membership, the committee has tried to steer a course which reflects the aims of Friends of Abbey Fields - in this case to ensure the new design is a building compatible and sympathetic with the Abbey Fields environment. Some progress has been made. but strong concerns remain."

The FoAF committee has raised ten specific objections to the developments. These range from light pollution, aesthetic design, noise pollution, as well as the physical environmental impact to trees and wildlife of the developments.

The full list of objections can be found at the bottom of this article.

The spokesperson continued: "Whilst designing the pool the focus has been on maximising the swimmers' pleasure and experience. However, we do not believe the same level of focus and attention has been awarded to all the other visitors to Abbey Fields who come to enjoy and benefit from 56 acres of green space, so strongly displayed during the Covid lockdown.

"Their enjoyment will be sadly diluted, if not sacrificed by the imposition of a building, which, whilst a significant improvement on the existing building, still falls short of being the visually and environmentally welcome facility we were all hoping for."

Regarding interference with the play area in Abbey Fields, the group has raised concerns over the location of the the electrical substation and gas meter housing, with no specific descriptions obvious in the application. The attached image shows what the group believes could be the 'worst case' scenario for this.

FoAF committee objections in summary:

1. We believe more preventative measures should be taken to minimise the light spillage into Abbey Fields from all sides of the building and the roof. As a minimum we have recommended the introduction of automatic blinds on all external facing windows.

1. We believe more creative work is required to minimise the impact of the metallic (zinc, aluminium) door and wall surfaces. As a minimum we have recommended the use of alternative materials or paints to improve the viewers perspective and to enable the building to blend into its local environment.

1. The North Elevation will be the highest part of the building and so every opportunity to ameliorate the stark, vertical impact both for habitats in the immediate vicinity and for visitors as they approach from the historical Gateway and Museum must be adopted, otherwise the existing building will be replaced with one of little, if any, aesthetic improvement.

1. We believe the polycarbonate perimeter wall needs to be replaced with more compatible sympathetic materials and made higher to limit the impact of noise and light pollution from the Lake Terrace overlooking the lake and from the café terrace towards Finham Brook. As a minimum we have recommended a much higher wall and either sandstone walls or robust, attractive fencing.

1. Also of concern is the preparatory clearance work of the existing green space and habitats bordering the brook to accommodate the build of the perimeter wall and sun terrace. This area should be protected during the construction period.

1. We believe the Electrical Sub-Station, positioned next to the children's zip-wire, will be a serious eyesore and we recommend this should be relocated inside the perimeter boundary of the Pool.

1. We also view the Gas Meter Housing positioned adjacent to the waste bin on the same Children's Play area as another eyesore and should also be moved within the Pool's boundary.

1. An alternative siting for the Electrical Sub-station, proposed by WDC, is to re-position it within the green shrubbery /habitat next to the east end of the lake. Again, we strongly object to this alternative because of the damage it will inflict on the habitat and wildlife therein as well as removing a natural screen between the lake and the pool and children's play area.

1. We require further confirmation that no trees will be removed during demolition of the existing pool and construction of the new pool. We are really concerned about:

b. the north bank of Finham Brook which has remained an untouched habitat for 30 years!

1. We have major concerns regarding the Code of Practice that will be imposed by WDC on the appointed site Contractors. Whilst not a planning issue we believe that WDC should, as a minimum, have an on-site Supervisor, full time, ensuring compliance with the agreed methods of working whilst addressing visitor concerns and as important being vigilant in ensuring local wildlife and their habitats are also protected.

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