Save former Walton pool site for recreational land

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 3rd Aug 2009

Local Liberal Democrats are opposing Elmbridge Borough Council's plans for 22 houses and 12 flats to be built on the site of the former swimming pool off Kings Road in Walton.

Walton Lib Dem representative, and long-time resident, Joan-Martin Kaye has written to the Council's Chief Executive pointing out before the swimming pool was built, the site was part of Walton's central recreation ground. When the pool was built, land on the outskirts of Walton off Waterside Drive was allocated for recreational use as a replacement for the swimming pool site. As the swimming pool provided a form of recreational use, this arrangement seemed fair at the time.

Joan says:

"The recent high density developments in central Walton make open recreational areas near our town centre even more crucial. The land off Waterside Drive was never of equal community value to the large chunk of recreational land used for the former Walton pool. Today the disparity is even greater."

The letter also states that granting permission for building on this land is directly contrary to the Council's policy of giving basic planning protection to recreational land.

Esher and Walton Local Party Chairman Dave Loader adds:

"The application for residential housing must be refused and the land rejoined to the remainder of the recreation ground. We urge Walton residents to write to Planning Committee Chairman Cllr Barry Cheyne or Chair of the north area sub committee Cllr Mary Sheldon."

ENDS