A South London lido is set to be revamped with a new entrance, café, sauna, toilets, showers and changing facilities.
Wandsworth Council has approved the plans for Tooting Bec Lido, which is the biggest open-air freshwater pool in the UK.
The plans from South London Swimming Club (SLSC) and WR-AP Architects will improve facilities at the shallow end of the open-air pool, which dates back to 1906.
The lido is currently closed as the council is carrying out separate major repair works totalling almost £4million.
A new entrance will be built at the north end of the 91-metre-long lido under the new plans from SLSC and WR-AP, with a reception, toilets, café, security accommodation and cycle parking.
The new café will serve people through two kiosk hatches – one facing Tooting Common and the other facing the pool. The existing entrance, toilets and showers will be demolished.
The existing café will be revamped, subject to building surveys, to become a shelter in summer and clubroom in winter. It will have new accessible changing facilities and shower blocks at either side.
The sauna will be relocated, while new gender-neutral showers and toilets and family changing facilities will be built around the pool’s edge.
The upgrades come in addition to the council’s ongoing revamp of the lido to protect its future for the next 50 years.
It was scheduled to reopen this summer after shutting in November last year for the works to be carried out, but this was delayed after the council discovered issues during the repairs – including previously-unknown buried asbestos.
The council said it was working to reopen the lido as soon as possible when it revealed the delay in May.
The scheme includes replacing the pumphouse and building a new electrical substation to power the pumps, installing a new pipework and filtration system, UV water purification system, pool liner and improved landscaping around the pool’s edge.
A budget of £3.93m was previously agreed to fund the works.
SLSC said on its website that its works on the lido would be scheduled at a future date after the council’s project had been completed.
A report submitted with the plans said the existing entrance and changing facilities at the lido are in “poor condition and no longer cater for the evolving needs of lido users”.
It added the lido is an “iconic destination, popular with the local and wider community, attracting over 2,500 people a day during the height of summer in 2022”.
A statement from SLSC, included in the report, said: “All facilities have to be kept fit-for-purpose and decades have passed since the lido’s amenities were considered in the round. With ageing infrastructure it’s clear that both the quality and number of toilets and showers was insufficient.
“Additionally, there is insufficient provision for less able swimmers who need help in order for them to fully enjoy their swim. Furthermore, the wider requirements of families, different genders and religion enjoying the pool together needed to be taken into account.
“By considering the full requirements of all users whilst maintaining a sustainability mindset has enabled the team to compile a broad brief of requirements that has been the foundation of this project.”
The report said SLSC would explore funding options to carry out the works after completing the planning process.
The council approved the plans after officers ruled it is “compatible with the character and appearance of the surrounding area” and would have “no adverse impact on neighbouring properties”.
The lido is operated by the council’s leisure centre contractor Places Leisure and it is used by SLSC in winter. It hosts the National Cold Water Swimming Championships every two years.
