Department urged to assist Rock Pool investment plans

Department urged to assist Rock Pool investment plans

7 September 2022

A LEADING government department has been urged to help progress proposals designed to pave the way for the restoration of Newcastle’s historic outdoor Rock Pool.

Major investment — which is expected to run into millions of pounds — is required to carry out essential work at the outdoor seawater pool which enjoys protected status.

Consultants have carried out a painstaking examination of the facility during which they poured over every inch of the structure to determine the exact cost of bringing it back into public use.

Preliminary investigation work at the pool which opened in the early 1930s, revealed that a number of issues required urgent attention and that considerable costs would be involved.

A number of options for the pool’s future are being discussed with suggestions that the local authority may join forces with the community in a bid to secure grant funding to carry out much-needed repairs.

It has previously been reported that the Rock Pool’s concrete structure has extensively degraded, while the filtration system to filter sea water is almost unusable, with seawater pipes so corroded that rust is coming off them and contaminating the water being filtered. 

In addition, the pool is unable to retain water as a result of cracks in the concrete and has been described as no longer fit-for-purpose, with one of the most significant concerns for council officials that the pool does not comply with current health and safety standards, with suggestions that a complete rebuild may required.

A number of local politicians met recently with senior local authority officials to discuss a number of projects, including the future of the Rock Pool.

One of them was Mournes councillor Laura Devlin who said she was “passionate” about the South Promenade facility and was frustrated with delays in moving the project forward.

She revealed that a number of statutory agencies have been consulted for their views on carrying out the work required at the pool ahead of a pre-planning application enquiry.

To date, Department for Infrastructure Rivers, the Environment Agency, Shared Environmental Services and the Historic Environment Division have all responded to advise what would be permissible to do in terms of preservation and enhancement of the pool itself.

However, the Department for Communities Historic Monuments has yet to respond, which Cllr Devlin says is delaying the council from proceeding to the next step in the process.

As a result, she has asked Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to get involved and ensure the response from the Historic Monuments Division is issued without further delay.

“We are in September and at the end of another summer with the Rock Pool remaining closed,” said Cllr Devlin.

“The benefits of the pool are absolutely evident and its vital that progress is made and soon and I will continue to do all within my gift to push for the preservation and enhancement of this facility.”

It is understood that council officials are keen to fully explore all potential funding opportunities to secure money to finance any agreed plan on the way forward for the outdoor pool. The Heritage Lottery Fund has been suggested as one possible funding source.

It as also been suggested that the historic pool should be at the heart of an ambitious revitalisation scheme for the ‘old town’ area around the resort’s harbour.

South Down MP Chris Hazzard has previously pledged his support for the revitalisation of the historic pool.