Outline plans for housing on former swimming pool site in Wellingborough

The proposal is for outline planning permission with all matters reserved for a residential development on the site of the old Wellingborough swimming baths in Croyland Road, Wellingborough.

Planning permission for the pool was originally granted in 1967, but the building was eventually replaced by the Waendel Leisure Centre in Thomas Street which opened in 2007.

The swimming pool was subsequently demolished and the site, which is currently owned by Wellingborough Council, has remained undeveloped.

Half of the existing parking area is in use as parking for Croyland Park and the remainder is blocked off by concrete blocks.

If the development gets the go-ahead, documents submitted as part of the planning application say the majority of the proposed dwellings would be two-storey.

The documents also state: “The suggested lay-out of a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced housing will offer a range of accommodation in what is a desirable residential area.”

The entrance to the site would be the same as for the former swimming pool premises.

These outline plans come after the Northants Telegraph reported last June that this site was one of three unused sites in Wellingborough which could be sold off by the council to help pay for large-scale projects.

The other sites identified for sale were an old factory in Arthur Street and land next to Penrith Drive.

Speaking at the time, council leader Paul Bell said none of the sites bring in memory for the council and selling them would increase capital benefits - money used for large-scale projects - as well as reducing maintenance costs and providing land for housing.

He said: “It’s still early days and these things do take a lot of time to put into place, but by agreeing that these three sites can be sold we can now start the process.

“We won’t be selling off land on an ad hoc basis – we will be investigating and identifying sites that offer the most return and we’ll continue to do this over the coming years as part of a longer-term programme to make the most of our assets.”

This application has been made by Wellingborough Council’s property and facilities department.

To read last year’s story on plans to sell off the land, click here