Investment for Riddings Pool as former South Leys School site in line for revamp

Councillors have made a commitment to investing in Riddings Pool as part of a project to regenerate the former South Leys School site in Scunthorpe.

Plans are in place to demolish the school building, on Enderby Road, early next year.

But the adjacent pool, the Kimberley Performing Arts Centre and existing football pitches, used as a training ground for Bottesford Town FC, will all stay in place.

The move has been announced by the ruling Conservative group on North Lincolnshire Council.

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Councillor John Briggs, the authority's cabinet member for asset management, culture and housing, said the aim was to create a mixture of open spaces, leisure facilities and housing on the site.

But he said no firm plans would be put into place until after a full consultation with residents.

He said: "We are looking to engage someone to do the demolition work. Once we have got the site cleared, we will start a proper consultation with residents about where they want open spaces to be, how it will all fit in and how we secure more investment for the pool, which is critical.

"South Leys is a significant site which we can use to regenerate this area of Scunthorpe."

Mr Briggs said services currently running from the building, such as education support, would be distributed across the region. Plans are in place to move some to Brigg, while others will go to Ashby Link and some will remain elsewhere in Scunthorpe.

The issue was discussed at the latest meeting of Bottesford Town Council, where Mr Briggs addressed town councillors on the plans. He said: "The future development will not have any impact on Riddings Pool, Kimberley School of Dance and Bottesford Town Football Club. There are concerns of ongoing vandalism on Block A, the front building, and this will be removed. No decision has been made on Block B.

"I am assured the demolition will only affect the top of the site.

"My promise to you is that we will ensure you or representatives from the town council know about the future of the South Leys site before anything is decided."

The South Leys building operated as a school until 2010, before staff and students transferred to Melior Community College on Chandos Road.

South Leys and Thomas Sumpter schools had merged to form Melior three years earlier.

Labour group secretary, Steve Swift, said: "When the Conservative council closed South Leys school we had concerns then about effects on the local community, but they assured us that it would never be sold off for building. We have grave concerns over access to the Learning Development Centre by local people and the secrecy surrounding the site is typical of the way this Conservative council governs. We are hopeful that Riddings Pool will be saved and have continually fought for this for the good of the local community."