Trying to take a step back from my passionate view about the impact about the listing of Louise House on the pools, and whilst I would love to see a pool on this site once again, I am not sure what view I want to support now in the move forward.

It remains my view that the complex interactive pressures from the various interest groups have themselves added to the problem, and potentially can create further problems and that whilst there is no mileage in continuing the debate over whether LH ought to have been listed or not, I do think that in respect of future steps there need to be an appreciation of how certain actions can lead to unfavourable outcomes. I'm just concerned that all these new initiatives to retain the pool on the current site are just further panic reactions and will themselves have further consequences that may not be desirable.

Also I feel that the expectations of the current site have been and are too high, ie a focus for ;

a) A wonderful new facility
b) Conservation
c) Regeneration of the local economy.

There are too many ambitions for this pool and for the site, all of which cannot simply be met. Its not realistic. Something has to give. The Council in its decision needs to consider the impact on the budget, the relative priority of this site and facility to other facilities and spending needs in the borough, and to come up with the best value argument. It also I'm sure knows well that the various interest groups , largely of white middle class origin, of people who are seasoned campaigners of this and that, represent the vocal minority only and not the bulk of the public whom the pool would serve. If it appears not to listen to those groups then that is largely the reason.

Basically, if the priority is to be local regeneration and preservation of the high street, then the best way of achieving this is to retain the pool on the current site and desirably expand its uses to attract higher footfall. If the objective is to deliver a pool quickly, cost effectively and to the desired standard, then Willow Way is probably the correct option.

As I said, I would love to have the pool on the current site for a range of reasons however I do not for one minute think that is what we are going to get, nor is it necessarily the best way of delivering the facility.