Latest news with #ScarboroughSeaSwimmingCIC
BBC News
04-08-2025
- General
- BBC News
Momentum builds to bring back Scarborough outdoor tidal swimming pool
A campaign to reinstate an outdoor tidal swimming pool in Scarborough is growing with one of its campaigners saying its absence was "like fish without chips".Earlier this year, North Yorkshire Council backed plans to build a three-sided seawater pool at the top of South development now rests with Scarborough Sea Swimming Community Interest Company (CIC) - a group formed by sea swimmers and residents keen to open what it hoped would be a community Chiverall, one of the organisers, said the ambition was to help "everyone to enjoy the benefits of sea swimming – and safely." "I think a sea swimming pool would make a difference," she said. "It would help us when the tide is really rough so it would extend the season."We won't be at risk of any riptides or general rough sea conditions and we'd be able to swim all year round and that's the biggest benefit." 'Popular pastime' Ms Chiverall said the initial idea came out of conversations with other sea swimmers who were keen for Scarborough to have a tidal pool town's previous facility, also located at South Bay, opened in 1915 and was hugely popular but closed in 1989 after running into financial difficulties. A second salt water pool opened in North Bay more than two decades later but that also closed in contacting local councillors, Ms Chiverall and others set up a community engagement session last March to see if the appetite for a pool extended beyond initial interest. Councillor Rich Maw was one of the executive members involved in the early stages of the campaign and said sea swimming in Scarborough was "already hugely popular and growing". He said: "This isn't just about building a pool - it's about opening up access, boosting tourism and improving local quality of life."He added that with strong community backing and expert input it was his belief the project "can and should happen".The council commissioned a feasibility study which pinpointed the proposed site at Children's Corner, at the top of South plan also included a sheltered beach, changing area and bathing area for Chiverall said: "We envisage it will be free to use for anybody who wants to sea swim, whether you've done it before or just want to dip your toe in the water for the first time."She said there were many benefits to sea swimming and added: "Lots of the sea swimmers that I know and swim with, swim as friendship groups."Generally everyone I know who swims in the sea is very happy, relaxed and has a very healthy outlook on life." Five year dream Scarborough Sea Swimming CIC is now looking ahead at the next stages of development describing the support received so far as "phenomenal". It was recently awarded council funding to help run further community engagement Ms Chiverall said the group was realistic about the timescales of the project acknowledging that funding - through public donations and grants from local authorities and other organisations - would be challenging. "It might not happen for ten years or so, we know that. Although five years would be the dream," she added."We just think Scarborough without a sea pool is like fish without chips". Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Outdoor seawater swimming pool could get go-ahead
A campaign to create an outdoor tidal swimming pool in a coastal town could be given the go-ahead after being backed by councillors. The Scarborough Safe Sea Swimming Project was discussed by the Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee of North Yorkshire Council at its meeting on Friday. The plan is to build a three-sided seawater pool at the Children's Corner, at the top of Scarborough South Bay, which would have sand running into it and a sheltered beach and bathing area for children. Councillor Rich Maw said that outdoor swimming in Scarborough was already "growing rapidly in popularity". He said: "This idea began in the simplest of ways – with a letter from two local sea swimmers who asked me, 'How do we build a swimming pool?' "That one question has grown into a meaningful conversation, and now, the foundations of a community-led and deliverable plan. "Scarborough's South and North Bays are already loved by sea swimmers year-round. Cold water swimming is growing rapidly in popularity and for good reason." He acknowledged that there were some risks to sea swimming, as "currents, and cold water shock make it inaccessible for many and potentially dangerous for some". The site at Children's Corner, which is located just south of the busy town centre beach and adjacent to the historic Scarborough Spa, was agreed as the preferred location by the Scarborough Sea Swimming Community Interest Company (CIC) andcouncil officers. A feasibility study was also presented to councillors, while campaigners who had initiated the project looked on from the public gallery above, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The study was commissioned by North Yorkshire Council and was completed by outdoor swimming specialists and architects Studio Octopi. Other committee members, including councillors Heather Phillips, Liz Colling and Roberta Swiers, also spoke in favour of the plan. According to All the Lidos, there are five other public outdoor swimming pools in Yorkshire, including Alpamare Waterpark in Scarborough's North Bay area. The feasibility study recommended the submission of a pre-planning application, "given the unique and rare nature of tidal pool projects". The Scarborough Sea Swimming CIC will now work through the next stages of development, but the committee said it was eager to assist the group if it could. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Swimmers test sea water amid quality concerns Water quality declines at popular swimming spots North Yorkshire Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Outdoor tidal swimming pool could get go-ahead in Scarborough
A campaign to create an outdoor tidal swimming pool in a coastal town could be given the go-ahead after being backed by Scarborough Safe Sea Swimming Project was discussed by the Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee of North Yorkshire Council at its meeting on plan is to build a three-sided seawater pool at the Children's Corner, at the top of Scarborough South Bay, which would have sand running into it and a sheltered beach and bathing area for Rich Maw said that outdoor swimming in Scarborough was already "growing rapidly in popularity". He said: "This idea began in the simplest of ways – with a letter from two local sea swimmers who asked me, 'How do we build a swimming pool?'"That one question has grown into a meaningful conversation, and now, the foundations of a community-led and deliverable plan."Scarborough's South and North Bays are already loved by sea swimmers year-round. Cold water swimming is growing rapidly in popularity and for good reason."He acknowledged that there were some risks to sea swimming, as "currents, and cold water shock make it inaccessible for many and potentially dangerous for some". The site at Children's Corner, which is located just south of the busy town centre beach and adjacent to the historic Scarborough Spa, was agreed as the preferred location by the Scarborough Sea Swimming Community Interest Company (CIC) andcouncil officers.A feasibility study was also presented to councillors, while campaigners who had initiated the project looked on from the public gallery above, according to the Local Democracy Reporting study was commissioned by North Yorkshire Council and was completed by outdoor swimming specialists and architects Studio committee members, including councillors Heather Phillips, Liz Colling and Roberta Swiers, also spoke in favour of the plan. According to All the Lidos, there are five other public outdoor swimming pools in Yorkshire, including Alpamare Waterpark in Scarborough's North Bay feasibility study recommended the submission of a pre-planning application, "given the unique and rare nature of tidal pool projects".The Scarborough Sea Swimming CIC will now work through the next stages of development, but the committee said it was eager to assist the group if it could. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
