Teignmouth’s outdoor swimming pool is to remain closed this summer as Teignbridge District Council prepares to sell it off with no restrictions on its future use.

Councillors unanimously agreed to sell off the seafront pool on Tuesday (February 10) arguing that the decision would pave the way for a community group to bid for the asset.

They also voted to shut the pool this summer, suggesting that closing the doors would demonstrate the seriousness of the situation and galvanise the community into taking action while saving the council £74,000.

As well as trying to save money as part of Teignbridge’s ‘Modern 25’ strategy, councillors are concerned that the planned reorganisation of local government in the next couple of years could see their successors on a unitary council looking to sell off assets for as much profit as possible. They argue that arranging a sale now would enable them to manage the transfer of the asset to the community.

The prospect of losing the pool has dismayed many residents who claim the facility has been badly managed with unsuitable opening times, limited sessions and booking difficulties.

‘It is obviously a prime site for development that would go for millions to have luxury sea-view flats built there. ‘But the cost, in lives shortened, the impact on tourism and local businesses, would be far greater,’ pointed out resident Louise Hayes.

Former Lido lifeguard Catherine Brown criticised Teignbridge’s lack of transparency and said that the proposed closure had come as a huge surprise with no consultation.

Councillors David Cox, Steve Horner and Andrew MacGregor urged the executive to ensure the community had the opportunity to take on the Lido with Councillor Horner pointing out that the prospect of losing the pool had ‘woken Teignmouth up’ with residents ‘united, energised and determined to protect a much-loved part of the town’.

They also raised questions about the financial basis of the decision to sell the pool. Councillor MacGregor pointed out that the Lido is poorly signposted and raised issues around parallel bookings with Dawlish. He also criticised the council for failing to share data from public consultations with councillors and questioned why the council is talking about adding public swimming baths in Newton Abbot while taking away the one in Teignmouth.

Teignmouth Lido is listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), which means community groups have the right to submit a bid to take on the facility and six months leeway to raise the necessary funds.

One group, Save the Lido - Teignmouth, has already expressed an interest in taking on the pool on behalf of the community. The group has set up a community interest organisation and is due to hold a public meeting to share its plans and encourage participation in their development of a bid.

Bids from community groups, the town council or businesses will be discussed at a Teignbridge Executive meeting in September.

‘This executive is right behind this being a community asset of value that can be transferred to the organisation that takes this on,’ said Teignbridge Executive leader Richard Keeling as he urged Councillors Cox, Horner and MacGregor to work together with community groups to bring a bid forward.