Work to reopen Ipswich Broomhill lido still not started
At the end of last year, the council had to consider a second planning application around the project after the initial permission expired.It was approved despite Fusion Lifestyle, which is leading on the project, stating the month before, there was a "small funding shortfall" that it was working to bridge. Six months later, the project still has not started after the National Heritage Lottery Fund wanted to perform financial due diligence on the project.
"No one is in disagreement with due diligence, it's just part of the timing which is so frustrating," Mr Read said. "[Fusion Lifestyle] is a company that has already worked with the National Lottery Heritage Fund on several occasions, so we might have hoped that would count for things."But what I feel is the most important question is not what it is costing, but is this investment good value for money?"Mr Read said the project was a good investment and could help teach children lifesaving water skills.He appealed to all parties involved to start work on the project, otherwise he feared Ipswich could lose "a wonderful historical icon".The project is expected to cost £10m, with £6.8m coming from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, £3m from the council and the rest from Fusion Lifestyle. It was hoped building work could start early next year before the pool opens that summer.A spokesperson for Fusion Lifestyle said it remained fully committed to the project."We recognise that the past few years have brought significant challenges," they said. "In response, Fusion is actively collaborating with a range of partners to carry out further robust due diligence, ensuring the project is both viable and set up for lasting success."The council were contacted for comment.
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