OUR PLANS
Our Journey
Introduction
The project has been an exciting but challenging journey! This page provides an overview of our achievements to date and the next steps.
The 'Our Plans' section and sub-sections provide all the latest details about the project. 'The Venue' is where you will find our latest proposals for the site including concept designs, features and how we envisage operating.
I applaud the work of Friends of Otley Lido. Our communities need health and well-being facilities like those planned by the Friends. As an Otley resident I know how important this would be to all age groups in our town.
Baroness Blake of Leeds
'Fundraising pool' (on the site hoarding) designed by Zeppo Creative
Achievements to date
In 2015, the Council issued an ‘Expressions of Interest Invited’ for the site and Friends of Otley Lido (FoOL) was formed. Over a number of years we have worked tirelessly to both raise funds and to engage with, and understand, the wishes and needs of a multitude of stakeholders. Our 'timeline' details our activities in more detail.
Our progress has been slower than we hoped as we responded to unprecedented events resulting in a period of rapid change in people’s lifestyle choices and the sport and leisure sector. These included Covid-19, significant rises in energy costs, cost of living crisis, and large cost increases for construction projects. In response, we undertook a project review and refined our approach accordingly.
Despite the challenges, our achievements to date include:
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Established and registered a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2016
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Established and maintained an excellent working relationship with Leeds City Council (the site owner)
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Erected hoarding to secure the site after part of the perimeter wall collapsed during the Boxing Day floods in 2015
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Undertaken maintenance on the site to slow further decline
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Documenting the history of the lido through:
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Compiling written records
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Capturing written and recorded memories
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Collating an extensive photo history
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Successfully lobbied for the site and FoOL to be included in the Otley Neighbourhood Plan
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Secured the support of prominent individuals, councils, politicians, organisations, businesses and the community
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Secured grants from over 10 organisations including Sport England, Otley Town Council, Otley Business Improvement District and Otley Chamber of Trade
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Raised in excess of £70,000 – including over £60,000 from 876 unique supporters during crowdfunding in 2021 – unspent other than a modest amount to fund the recent work
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Undertaken extensive engagement with stakeholders including:
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Open Days in 2018 and 2024 which attracted over 400 and 650 visitors respectively
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Regular attendees at Otley Victorian Fayre, Otley Carnival and Otley Show
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Events including Pool Feast and Sport Chevin Family Activity Day
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Attendance at Otley BID and Otley Chamber of Trade meetings and events
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Developing a large social media following with regular posts and updates
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Gathered a team of ‘experts’ offering their advice, support and work on a pro bono basis
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Reviewed the project with the help of these industry experts
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Refined our approach to recognise changes impacting the sport and leisure sector
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Appointed industry leading and highly experienced sport and leisure consultancy FMG and Saunders Boston Architects to undertake a feasibility study producing concept designs and outline business plans
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Submitted an outline business plan and proposal for the site to Leeds City Council
The next steps
We are adopting a 'best practice' approach across four main areas – some concurrently, some consecutively:
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Securing the continuing support of Leeds City Council and/or obtaining a 'legal interest' (e.g. expression of intent, leasehold, etc.) in the site to provide assurances and further time to develop our plans
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Stakeholder consultation – feedback and input on our proposals including our concept designs, strategy, operations, etc.
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Technical development of the scheme – e.g. developing the concept designs, studies, surveys, etc. – so we are in a position to apply for capital funding and planning permission
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Capital funding – applications to funding organisations and seeking partners aligned with our aims
Some of these shall require us to commission professional services and we are grateful for the support of a number of professionals who have offered us their services on a pro bono basis which shall enable us to reduce the costs. If you, or someone you know, may be able to help us then please do get in touch using the details at the bottom of the page.
Examples of the work we shall need to undertake include:
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Surveys: site, buildings, culvert and slipway; CCTV drain survey; asbestos survey; existing services search; services scan survey
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Studies: flood assessments, highways, heritage impact assessment, ecological study, planning study
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Site investigation works - e.g. ground investigation, assessment of site clearance, contaminants, etc.
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Design development – architectural drawings, urban design, landscape design, structural engineering, sustainability, quantity surveyor,
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Planning – discussions with Leeds City Council Planning Department and Environment Agency
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Property lawyer – advice on securing a 'legal interest' in the site
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Funding consultants – identifying funding channels, building relationships, bid writing and applying for grants
The objectives include:
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Progress our concept designs into 'Architectural Concepts' and subsequently detailed designs as per RIBA 'Plan of Work'
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Assessing sustainable options for design, build and operations
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Protecting bio-diversity
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Flood risk assessment and management
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Considering the impact on traffic and parking in the area plus develop our strategies for active and sustainable travel
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Securing capital funding
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Apply for planning permission
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Finalise our business plan
'Best Practice' approach
Our plan to bring the venue to fruition follows a 'best practice' approach. It is a common and well-established approach recommended by Swim England and utilised by other lidos such as Grange-over-Sands and Broomhill. It is worth noting that whilst our approach is best practice it is not without its challenges! Swim England advocate greater government funding "so communities can apply for grants to get design and feasibility studies completed – the costs of which can currently be a barrier to pools being built".
We are grateful to Future Lidos and our friends in the lido community across the nation for their invaluable advice, help and support to progress our project and look forward to continuing to engage with them.