Seems all is not lost when it comes to the restoration of Bath’s historic Cleveland Pools – following a meeting of trustees with representatives from the Heritage Lottery Fund who had officially turned down a Stage 2 bid to secure their final grant of 4.1 million to help restore this former Georgian lido beside the River Avon.
HLF have said they will work with the Trust to submit another application for funding – but a press release does not give any indication as to how long all this might take.
Here’s the press statement, released this morning:
“Following the decision of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to turn down the Stage 2 application for funding to restore the Cleveland Pools in Bath, the trustees of the project have met with representatives of the HLF to discuss the reasons behind this decision.
The meeting, held on 11th January, was encouraging, with the Heritage Lottery Fund confirming that they consider the approved plans set out a really strong foundation for the future of the Pools. This has given the Cleveland Pools Trust cause for optimism as it continues with its efforts to revive the historic pools for swimming and recreation for the people of Bath and beyond.
Outstanding issues need to be resolved by the Cleveland Pools Trust but both they and the Heritage Lottery Fund believe that this can be done satisfactorily along with the full cooperation and commitment of Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES).
The Cleveland Pools Trust will now work with the Heritage Lottery Fund to resolve existing issues, and submit a new project application.
This reprieve has been welcomed by the Cleveland Pools Trust’s new Chairman Paul Simons who has been with the project for five years. He succeeds Ann Dunlop who, after 13 years in the role, will become the Trust’s Honorary President while remaining an active trustee.
Ann Dunlop says: “The Heritage Lottery Fund have indicated they will work with the Cleveland Pools Trust to submit another application for the restoration scheme which got full planning approval by B&NES last year. We remain committed to achieving the project’s aims and will work tirelessly to bring this to fruition as quickly as possible”.
Paul Simons says: “The Cleveland Pools Trust has been delighted with the re-affirmation of support for the project from its many hundreds of enthusiasts: local residents and volunteers, swimmers, families and schools, heritage campaigners, and those who have pledged to support the project financially. We are determined to work with them to achieve a truly remarkable and unique facility”.
Nerys Watts, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South West, says: “We’ve supported the Cleveland Pools Trust over the last three years to find a solution for this complex site’s needs, and recognise the huge amount of work that the Trust has carried out. Cleveland Pools is a special and significant part of our heritage, with a clear need for restoration, and we will continue to work with the Cleveland Pools Trust to develop a new project application, and resolve the outstanding issues.”
LATEST: Vice Chair, Ina Harris told Bath Newseum – Saturday morning-
