Published: December 10, 2009
Fate of Burnham-On-Sea beach pool to be decided next week

The future of Burnham-On-Sea's crumbling beach boating pool will be decided next week with the district council recommending that it is removed, much to the sadness of town councillors.

Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported in August that the concrete base of the landmark was falling apart and the pool itself has suffered water leaks for several months.

A final decision is set to be made by the council's executive committee on December 16th.

This week, town councillors seemed resigned to the pool's fate during a debate on the matter.

Burnham councillor Phoebe Harling told the latest council meeting: "The pool has not deteriorated overnight. It has happened over time due to the neglect of the district council. The pool should have been maintained and it would not have got into its current condition."

Cllr Mike Mansfield added: "This will be a sad day for Burnham" and Mayor Derick Cooper added: "Reluctantly, I feel it should probably go."

Cllr Chris Williams added: "I am very sad about it. This has happened due to a lack of maintenance over several years. It is entirely Sedgemoor's fault."

Cllr Neville Jones requested that every effort is made by the council to contact the Braithwaite family, who initially donated the pool to the town. "If the pool has to go, then we want a plaque in their honour maintained on the seafront," he said.

Sedgemoor District Council's Health and Safety Officer had expressed concerns to the Town Council over the pool's deteriorating condition and is pushing for an early decision.

Sedgemoor's Corporate Director of Regeneration, Doug Bamsey, told Burnham-On-Sea.com last month: "The pool is suffering from the effects of time and the council's Executive will be considering a report in December when its future will be discussed."

The pool was built in the 1920s after being given to the town by the Braithwaite family, who lived in the Burnham area, and wanted it to permanently mark the return of their five sons from the first world war.