Wotton Swimming Pool was built by pupils of the secondary modern school in 1959. Since then it has been improved, notably by addition of solar heating and more recently the retractable cover, see History for more info.

The wooden changing hut is now over 45 years old, and the solar panels were installed 30 years ago. Both these now need replacing. Also, the pool must have access for the disabled and needs a general tidy up.

The pool remains popular – last year there were 7,000+ swims during our May to September season, and the adult sessions became ever more busy. We believe it is well worth keeping it running.

A Project Group with members from Wotton Swimming Pool Club, the Town Council (who own it) and Stroud District Council (who manage it) has been working to draw up designs for these items, and to find how to finance them.

We plan to replace the changing hut with a new simple building, including a disabled change room/toilet. There will be a ramp to provide disabled access, as well as new steps. We want to improve the existing concrete surround of the pool inside the cover, and improve the appearance of the areas outside the cover. And finally we want to replace the solar heating panel to maintain the valuable “carbon free” heating system. Please have a look at the drawings which show our proposals. We should be able to get “environmental” grants for some of this work, and there are other sources of funds we are investigating which are not derived from Council Tax. The two Councils will provide some money, however.

We are now at the stage of applying for planning permission, and we would like your opinions, please. We would be grateful if you would take a few minutes to look at the plans and then answer a couple of questions.