Work progresses to transform Sansome Walk swimming pool
The centre in Worcester closed 10 years ago
Progress is being made on plans to build social housing on the site of a former swimming pool in Worcester, 10 years after it closed.
The redevelopment of the Sansome Walk site has been hit with years of delays since the pool closed its doors for the final time in 2016.
Demolition of the derelict building took longer than expected following the discovery of asbestos, and the site became a target for vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
It was eventually demolished in 2021 by Worcester City Council at a cost of £2.6 million.
The council had agreed in 2018 to sell the site to Sanctuary Housing, which originally planned to build 22 two-bedroom homes and a YMCA hub with 76 flats for 18-35-year-olds.
Ownership of the site officially transferred to Sanctuary in February 2024, by which time the social housing provider had planning approval for 40 affordable homes.
At the time it said construction work on the new homes was expected to start “later in the year”.
Colourful hoardings that carried the message ‘Love the Arbo’ have now been removed.
A spokesperson for Sanctuary said: “We are very pleased with the progress being made at Sansome Walk and are looking forward to delivering these much-needed, high quality affordable homes on this significant Worcester site.”
Sanctuary says the completed development will deliver a mix of one-bedroom flats and two, three and four-bedroom houses, “helping to meet the established local need for more affordable housing”.
Hannah Cooper, a city councillor for the Arboretum ward, said: “It is frustrating it has taken so long but I’m pleased work is happening and I’m glad social housing is being delivered on the site.”
Sansome Walk swimming pool opened in the 1970s and its closure in 2016 came ahead of the opening of a new pool at Perdiswell Leisure Centre, following a £10.5m investment by the city council.