
Abandoned outdoor swimming pool reveals plans to reopen with £500,000 revamp
AN outdoor swimming pool that has been abandoned for three years will finally reopen - and will now be bigger.
Dartington
Swimming
Pool
(DSP) in Meadowbrook Park,
5
Dartington Swimming Pool (DSP) in Meadowbrook Park, Devon was left abandoned after a structural failure back in 2022
Credit: Dartington Lido
Now plans for the
Plans will see the pool fully refurbished, as well as the pool's facilities upgraded.
The
The pool will be kitted out with equipment that is easy to use and reliable.
Read more on Devon
The project also aims to upgrade the small existing pavilion to provide facilities for sports and events.
Phase one of the project will see the development of a new 'fit for purpose' facility with an up-to-date,
There design of the pool will be changed to allow for multiple uses including lane swimming, children's swimming and accessible swimming including wheelchairs.
The pool will be extended to 25metres too and modernised changing facilities will be created.
Most read in News Travel
As part of the plans, renewable
energy
will be used to heat the pool as well.
Phase two will start once the main pool upgrade has been done.
New £4million lido to open in UK next year
The pool would plan to be open to the public from May to October.
According to
"And we think it's high time it was brought back into service.'
The pool originally opened back in 1973 and used to be 20metres long and 10metres wide.
At the deepest end, it would reach 1.85metres and it was unheated.
At the time, it cost only around £3,000 to build.
5
But now plans have been revealed to reopen the pool
Credit: Dartington Lido
The football pavilion was then built in 1998, after a fire destroyed the original in 1996.
Later in 2019, new management took over the pool and operated it through the Covid-19
pandemic
.
However, in 2022, the pool liner gave way in several places and the pool was closed.
This weekend Meadowbrook Park will be hosting an Extravaganza to raise the £500,000 funds needed for the new pool.
There will be DJ sessions,
Tickets are donation based, with £5 suggested per household.
The pool is located just on the outskirts of the village of Dartington.
The
5
The pool has sat closed for three years but if plans were approved it will be upgraded and increased in size before reopening
Credit: Dartington Lido
It is located to the west of the River Dart and south of Dartington Hall - a medieval Great Hall, Courtyard and Grade II* Listed Gardens.
Despite only being a small village, there is so there much to explore.
Growing up, Dartington Estate was a great day out and I even had my school leaving event in the gardens.
In the grounds there are
There is even a cinema too in an old barn.
People can stay at Dartington Estate too - with a range of B&B options, hostel rooms,
5
Dartington Hall Estate is close-by and is a great place to explore
Credit: PA:Press Association
Over the
summer
months there are live music sessions on the expansive lawn and makers markets in the Great Hall.
The pool is also located within walking distance of The Cider Press Centre which has a focus on arts and crafts and boasts a curated selection of
Many a summer I would spend in the independent Green Table Café with plenty of outdoor tables in the sunshine.
It is the perfect spot to grab a Devon cream tea, too.
Just down the road is also the beautiful historic market town of Totnes - which ties in to the perfect day out with Dartington and is home to many
charity
shops and independent gems.
I grew up in Totnes – but
Plus, the stunning UK holiday hotspot with shipwrecks, seals swimming offshore and horseshoe-shaped waterfalls.
5
The pool would measure 25metres and be heated, unlike before
Credit: Dartington Lido

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Abandoned outdoor swimming pool reveals plans to reopen with £500,000 revamp
AN outdoor swimming pool that has been abandoned for three years will finally reopen - and will now be bigger. Dartington Swimming Pool (DSP) in Meadowbrook Park, 5 Dartington Swimming Pool (DSP) in Meadowbrook Park, Devon was left abandoned after a structural failure back in 2022 Credit: Dartington Lido Now plans for the Plans will see the pool fully refurbished, as well as the pool's facilities upgraded. The The pool will be kitted out with equipment that is easy to use and reliable. Read more on Devon The project also aims to upgrade the small existing pavilion to provide facilities for sports and events. Phase one of the project will see the development of a new 'fit for purpose' facility with an up-to-date, There design of the pool will be changed to allow for multiple uses including lane swimming, children's swimming and accessible swimming including wheelchairs. The pool will be extended to 25metres too and modernised changing facilities will be created. Most read in News Travel As part of the plans, renewable energy will be used to heat the pool as well. Phase two will start once the main pool upgrade has been done. New £4million lido to open in UK next year The pool would plan to be open to the public from May to October. According to "And we think it's high time it was brought back into service.' The pool originally opened back in 1973 and used to be 20metres long and 10metres wide. At the deepest end, it would reach 1.85metres and it was unheated. At the time, it cost only around £3,000 to build. 5 But now plans have been revealed to reopen the pool Credit: Dartington Lido The football pavilion was then built in 1998, after a fire destroyed the original in 1996. Later in 2019, new management took over the pool and operated it through the Covid-19 pandemic . However, in 2022, the pool liner gave way in several places and the pool was closed. This weekend Meadowbrook Park will be hosting an Extravaganza to raise the £500,000 funds needed for the new pool. There will be DJ sessions, Tickets are donation based, with £5 suggested per household. The pool is located just on the outskirts of the village of Dartington. The 5 The pool has sat closed for three years but if plans were approved it will be upgraded and increased in size before reopening Credit: Dartington Lido It is located to the west of the River Dart and south of Dartington Hall - a medieval Great Hall, Courtyard and Grade II* Listed Gardens. Despite only being a small village, there is so there much to explore. Growing up, Dartington Estate was a great day out and I even had my school leaving event in the gardens. In the grounds there are There is even a cinema too in an old barn. People can stay at Dartington Estate too - with a range of B&B options, hostel rooms, 5 Dartington Hall Estate is close-by and is a great place to explore Credit: PA:Press Association Over the summer months there are live music sessions on the expansive lawn and makers markets in the Great Hall. The pool is also located within walking distance of The Cider Press Centre which has a focus on arts and crafts and boasts a curated selection of Many a summer I would spend in the independent Green Table Café with plenty of outdoor tables in the sunshine. It is the perfect spot to grab a Devon cream tea, too. Just down the road is also the beautiful historic market town of Totnes - which ties in to the perfect day out with Dartington and is home to many charity shops and independent gems. I grew up in Totnes – but Plus, the stunning UK holiday hotspot with shipwrecks, seals swimming offshore and horseshoe-shaped waterfalls. 5 The pool would measure 25metres and be heated, unlike before Credit: Dartington Lido


The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I have to knock down my swish bungalow because neighbours say it looks ‘alien' & breaches privacy… it's ridiculous
A DAD claims he faces homelessness after he was ordered to tear down a bungalow in his ex-wife's back garden in a planning row. Mark Jones, 55, spent £180,000 building the home in Advertisement 5 Mark Jones with his dogs in front of his bungalow in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 5 An interior shot of the property, which the dad-of-two has been ordered to demolish Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 5 An aerial view of the bungalow (bottom left of shot) which is in Jones' ex-wife's garden Credit: SWNS He accused Birmingham City Council of "bullying" him and said he would move to Spain if it had to be bulldozed. He began the build without planning permission in March 2019, hoping his late father could move in. But his father died that October and Mark's daughter and her boyfriend used it during the pandemic before he moved in himself. But a neighbour had already complained and Mark was told by a council officer that he needed planning consent. Advertisement Six years on, Mark, who initially believed he could build the bungalow under permitted development rules, has less than a fortnight to meet the demolition deadline having twice been refused planning permission and lost an appeal. He told BirminghamLive: 'We thought we could do permitted development, two bedrooms and a bathroom, and a dining room/living space. 'It was a separate building within the permitted development size. "But a planning officer came out and said I could not continue and needed planning permission." Advertisement Most read in Money The planning officer initially came out in April 2019 - and the application was ultimately rejected in late 2019 and again in 2020. Mark added: "My dad died in October 2019. At the time, my daughter was training to be a paediatric nurse and moved into the bungalow with her boyfriend because of Covid. I came home to find my nightmare neighbour knocking down my DOOR – he claimed it was his right to do it 'We had a date to have the building down by March 14, 2022. We put our head in the sand.' Mark said he initially continued building despite his planning problems because his dad was gravelly ill and he was convinced he would eventually secure consent. Advertisement His first application was rejected in October 2019, the same month he lost his father, because the "siting, design, appearance and plot layout would adversely affect the established mature character of the existing residential area". The development work continued with the roof and windows completed at the end of November. A second application - also refused - was submitted that month, for the retention of the bungalow with a kitchen/dining area, two bedrooms (both approximately 12 square metres), bathroom and a store. 5 A shot of the bungalow which sits directly next to the fence of his ex-wife's garden Credit: SWNS:South West News Service Advertisement 5 Mark acknowledges his "fault" but says the council shouldn't force him to demolish it Credit: SWNS:South West News Service There were three objections from residents raising parking issues, privacy and light concerns, and concerns from Walmley Ash Allotment Association. The residents said the building in a back garden was 'over-intensive', 'contrary to planning law' and would 'set a poor precedent for other home owners in the area'. Undeterred, Mark completed the internal works in June 2020 and appealed to The Planning Inspectorate. But in February 2021 inspector, Samuel Watson refused the 'backland' development. Advertisement He said homes in Walmley Ash Road mainly featured undeveloped gardens and described the bungalow as 'alien'. In November 2021, Mark was told to take the bungalow down by March 14, 2022. He submitted a new permitted development certificate application for a single-storey outbuilding but that has yet to be decided. He said he was told even if it were granted, and he was convinced it should be, he would need to pull down the original bungalow and build it again. Advertisement He said: 'We were told it's got to come down by the end of June.. The council is taking me to court. 'My ex-wife is a midwife and can't get a criminal record. The council is supposed to have done things it hasn't done." Mark added: 'It's bullying. It wants us to knock a house down that's perfectly reasonable. "From the street or a neighbour's garden, you wouldn't see anything. You can't see into windows. Advertisement 'We back onto an allotment and I have offered to plant trees. There was a garage there before. 'The council made silly comments like it was not the right shape for the area. 'My dad was dying and the urgency was there. In all honesty, I wouldn't do it again.' 'Council should've put an enforcement notice to stop me building it' Advertisement Mark claims the bungalow is "100 per cent within permitted development certificate limits" and pointed to the fact it doesn't have separate water or internet. He said: "We don't pay separate council tax. We can't have all three utilities until we have planning permission. 'Every single thing has been refused by Birmingham City Council. 'I don't want to knock it down. It's a waste of time and money. If I get the permitted development certificate, we are going to sell the house with an annex. Advertisement 'The council should have put an enforcement on me to stop me building it. If I lose, I am moving to Spain and I will take the house down. 'Ultimately, I acknowledge I am at fault. However, I believe the council also bears significant responsibility due to the initial misguidance, followed by a severe lack of communication, support, and adherence to its own procedures.' Read more on the Irish Sun A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said 'Mr Jones is currently in breach of the enforcement notice that was served to him in 2021, and we have given him ample time to comply with the notice by the end of June 2025. 'A decision will be made imminently on the lawful development certificate that Mr Jones has submitted, and a case officer will then be in contact with him to advise further.' Advertisement


The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The 13 UK seaside towns where feeding seagulls could land you with on-the-spot £100 fine
IF you're planning a trip to the seaside this summer, be careful not to make this costly mistake. While feeding seagulls may seem like harmless fun, it can actually result in hefty fines. 2 Feeding seagulls in certain UK seaside towns can results in hefty fines (stock image) Credit: Getty As summer kicks into gear, a lot of Brits are planning staycationers at scenic beaches. But be warned because this little known coastal rule could turn your fish and chip supper into a serious expense. In some seaside towns across the country, feeding seagulls is not just discouraged; it is punishable by law. Read More On Seaside Towns So even if these cheeky birds are begging for a chip, resist the urge to feed them. In Aldeburgh, Suffolk, visitors are greeted by signs warning that anyone caught feeding gulls could face prosecution. This is enforced under public health and anti-social behaviour by-laws. Introduced in 2009, this rule is a result of rising public complaints about nuisance behaviour from gulls — including swooping attacks, persistent begging, and damage to bins and property. Most read in News Travel And it's far from an isolated case; a series of restrictions has emerged across the UK and the Channel Islands. Many councils have introduced Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) or similar measures to clamp down on gull feeding. Inside colourful flat in seaside town featured on Scotland's Home of the Year Measures have been introduced along the North Yorkshire coast, with towns like The fine, introduced under environmental protection legislation, is part of a broader effort to manage behaviour in high-footfall coastal towns. And while the maximum penalty is rarely issued, local councils use it as a strong deterrent. This effort is more common than most Brits realise. Similar bans are now in place across the South West, including East Devon, where feeding seagulls is prohibited under PSPOs. Fine amounts for feeding seagulls in UK seaside towns Exmouth: £80 - £100 Budleigh Salterton: £80 - £100 Sidmouth: £80 - £100 Beer: £80 - £100 Seaton: £80 - £100 Lyme Regis: Up to £100 West Bay: Up to £100 Bridport: Up to £100 St Ives: Up to £100 Whitby: Up to £100 Scarborough: Up to £100 Eastbourne: Up to £100 Hastings: Up to £100 Fixed penalties of £80 can be issued on the spot, with the possibility of higher fines for repeat offences or failure to pay. In West Dorset, towns like Lyme Regis and Bridport have adopted comparable policies. St Ives in Cornwall banned gull feeding in 2018 following multiple incidents of birds injuring visitors while attempting to grab food. A rep for Luxury Group Stay said that the rise in local fines and by-laws "catching guests off guard" has seen a change in customer preferences. "We're seeing growing demand for private stays where families can relax, dine outdoors, and enjoy themselves without worrying about unexpected restrictions," they explained. With rules varying from town to town and signage often easy to miss, travellers are advised to check local guidance carefully. Plus, seven major And a common A holiday destination that's popular with Brits has And a 2 Anyone planning a seaside trip this summer is advised to read up on local by-laws to avoid fines (stock image) Credit: EPA