Demolition of Cockleshell Heroes pool approved

Plans to demolish a century-old swimming pool, once used to train World War Two's Cockleshell Heroes, have been approved.

Eastney Swimming Pool in Southsea closed in 2020 and Portsmouth City Council has described it as outdated and in a dangerous condition.

Campaigners, including the Eastney Pool Redevelopment group, have opposed the demolition, gathering more than 2,500 petition signatures to save the site.

Work is due to start on a new swimming pool, gym and GP surgery in Bransbury Park, just 750m (2,500ft) away, costing £23.4m.

Council officer David Mormon said, before its closure in March 2020, the pool provided a "very poor" customer experience, was inaccessible for young children and disabled people.

He said structural defects meant refurbishment would require an almost complete rebuild.

Kevin Gardner, from Eastney Pool Redevelopment, claimed redeveloping the pool would cost half the price of the Bransbury Park project while offering similar facilities.

The council has allocated £100,000 for the demolition, with the site earmarked for a watersports hub under the city's seafront master plan.

Plans include facilities like changing rooms, storage, and showers.

Portsmouth City Council will launch a public consultation in April on additional facilities, such as a cafe, restaurant and creative studios.

The pool was built in 1904 on the site of an old gravel pit, as part of the Eastney Royal Marine Barracks.

It was used to train the so-called Cockleshell Heroes - 13 Royal Marine commandos - ahead of their secret mission in six canoes to Bordeaux in December 1942.

Historic England declined to support listing the pool over its association with the mission.

The pool was also one of the first to host underwater hockey - octopush - matches.

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