NEWS that plans for a new swimming pool in Minehead have been further delayed was greeted with dismay this week, with critics describing the decision as ‘absolutely devastating’ and ‘a snub to local people who could get the job done’.

Somerset West and Taunton council were told at their virtual meeting last week that a £10,000 feasibility study into a council-run pool, financed by Hinkley Point C, has been put on hold for the foreseeable future because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minehead has been without a publicly-operated swimming pool since the closure of the Aquasplash facility in Seaward Way in 2008.

Cllr Richard Lees, portfolio holder for sport and leisure, told councillors: “Any feasibility study will likely take time and will need to reflect the impact of Covid on the wider leisure industry.

“The scope for the feasibility study is still to be agreed. Officers are currently prioritising their time on the existing service and our response to Covid. As such, it would be difficult to commit to a timeframe by when the study will be complete.” Cllr Lees added he was keen to start the Minehead study as soon as he had sufficient officer time.

The former Aquasplash site is now occupied by the town’s Lidl supermarket, which was granted approval in June 2015. Since then, the nearest council-run swimming pools? are in Taunton, Wellington and Tiverton.

For the full story see this week’s West Somerset Free Press.