A NEW heated seafront swimming pool has been given the green light.

The Sea Lanes development has been given permission to build a 50-metre pool in Madeira Drive, Brighton, and looks set to open in spring 2022.

The swimming pool will be supported by small business units suitable for retail, health and fitness as well as a food court with street food kiosks and an outdoor seating area.

A spokesman for Sea Lanes Brighton said: “At the heart of the scheme is the swimming pool, which will be accessible to all.

The Argus:

“The pool will provide much needed swimming facilities in Brighton and will act as a gateway for those looking to gain the confidence to swim in the sea, as well as a training hub for open water swimming events, triathlon, sea safety and lifeguard courses.

“The swimming pool will be supported by small business units suitable for retail, health and fitness, office space as well as a food court with street food kiosks and a seating area.”

A planning application, which went before Brighton and Hove City Council's planning committee, was given the go ahead after councillors voted 7-2 to approve.

An original application for a 25-metre pool on the site, next to the existing Yellow Wave volleyball courts, was granted five-year temporary planning permission in 2019.

The Argus:

A summer pop-up was held at the site that year, with activities such as guided sea swims and open water events hosted from its base in Madeira Drive, Brighton.

Several businesses including the Bison Beer Beach Bar now operate at the site as well.

The success of these ventures persuaded those behind the Sea Lanes development to press on with plans to build a permanent 50-metre “National Open Water Swimming Centre” at the site.

A Sea Lanes spokesman said: “We are so grateful to the Brighton community for the ongoing support and patience you’ve shown Sea Lanes as we work towards building the 50m swimming pool.

“Over the last 12 months we have been working with Brighton and Hove City Council to revise our plans so that we can begin construction of the pool, however the pandemic has caused unexpected delays.”

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP for Brighton Kemptown, said the councillors had made the right decision. 

He said: "I'm looking forward to heading down as soon as it opens. 

"It will be the only 50-metre pool in the whole of the Greater Brighton area, which is so important for people trying to train. 

"It will provide a real focus for the health club offering down there. We have the fantastic Yellowave, Sea Lanes, the beautiful sauna boxes as well as some of those yoga studios. And, of course, climbing walls and crazy golf. 

"This is what Madeira Drive needs, not more commercial, but something unique and I think that's what we have here. 

"I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be doing my leisure swimming at Saltdean Lido and training at Sea Lanes. 

"I might be able to give up my gym membership permanently."