Plug pulled on Elland baths

Severe structural problems means the plug has finally been pulled on Elland Baths.
Elland Swimming Baths.Elland Swimming Baths.
Elland Swimming Baths.

Immediate demolition work has begun on the 110-year-old building after Calderdale Council deemed the building unsafe.

A Council inspection found the eastern gable wall, overlooking Huddersfield Road, is continuing to move. Since a May inspection, the wall has moved a further 4mm - causing fears for public safety.

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This week, scaffolding has been erected around the Town Hall Street Victorian building.

The pool was closed in December 2011 due to structural defects. In 2009, it was reported a bolt head came loose from the roof and, landing in the pool, narrowly missed a swimmer.

Calderdale Council’s former cabinet member for economy and environment coun Barry Collins, said: “We have no other option but to demolish the building...if we don’t act straight away people could be in serious danger.”

The closure comes as a massive blow to the ‘Save Elland Baths’ campaign which was given six months to work on a community asset transfer in March.

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Escalating renovation costs forced the group to give up their campaign. Instead of the £400,000 the group estimated, council papers estimated the work at £1.2m.

The Save Elland Baths committee said, in a statement: “Re-commissioning old buildings is not an exact science. Our Committee felt what already was a difficult project, not without significant risks, had become beyond them. It is with regret that Save Elland Baths have reached the conclusion that our goal of re-opening Elland baths is no longer achievable and consequently we will be withdrawing our application for an asset transfer of Elland Swimming Pool .

The Committee would like to thank the Community for their help and support, without which we could not have raised the profile of such a worthy cause.

The community of Elland want and deserve a swimming pool. With an expanding population and demand for pool time, as a group we will now switch our focus to fighting for a new pool.”

Councillor Barry Collins said the Council will consult with the community to develop ideas for the future of the site.