Campaigners criticise Eastney pool site plans
Its comes as Portsmouth City Council publish consultation results showing strong support for a new watersports centre
Last updated 9th Sep 2025
Campaigners have criticised Portsmouth City Council after it published consultation results showing strong support for a new watersports centre on the Eastney pool site.
The demolition of the historic pool was approved in March, following the granting of planning permission for a £23.4m replacement leisure centre in Bransbury Park.
More than 1,800 people took part in the consultation, with nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) saying they would be “very likely” to use a new watersports facility. Only 5 per cent said they wanted the former pool refurbished.
The council said the findings reinforced its decision to pursue a modern centre alongside the new Bransbury Park development.
But campaigners insist the results do not reflect local feeling.
An Eastney Pool redevelopment spokesperson said: “Over a 1000 people have signed a petition demanding the suspension of the demolition of the historic Royal Marines Eastney swimming pool, pending an investigation into the conduct of a number of Portsmouth city councillors.
“This was in order to force through their plans to demolish the Royal Marines Eastney swimming pool and grant themselves planning permission to build a £23.4m alternative in Bransbury Park, losing six sports courts, green space and trees.
“The councillors have chosen to ignore the clear majority in favour of saving Eastney swimming pool, with over 2600 people signing a petition to save the pool. The council’s own planning application consultation resulted in 88 per cent of participants objecting to the council’s plans for Eastney pool’s alternative.
“According to another council report, refurbishing Eastney pool would cost approximately £10m less than building an alternative and would also save six sports courts, green space and trees from being built on.”
In a statement Portsmouth City Council said:
"Eastney Pool has been closed since 2020. Surveys have confirmed that the 120-year-old building is in very poor condition and poses a safety risk. Once planning permission was granted for a brand-new swimming pool nearby at Bransbury Park, a decision was made in March to demolish the building. Historic England has declined to list the building on two occasions, stating that it does not possess any special architectural or historic features. Once the building is demolished, we will have the opportunity to create a watersports centre on the site. Nearly two-thirds of respondents to a recent consultation said they would be very likely to use such a facility."
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said:
"We’re grateful to everyone who took part in the consultation. The feedback clearly shows a strong appetite for a modern, inclusive watersports centre that meets the needs of our community today and into the future.
"With investment in a new leisure centre at Bransbury Park, renovation work at Mountbatten Centre, and the announcement of ambitious new operators of Hilsea Lido, we are demonstrating that we are serious about sport in the city."
History
Built in 1904 as part of the Eastney Royal Marine Barracks, the pool was used to train the Cockleshell Heroes — 13 Royal Marine commandos who launched a daring canoe mission to Bordeaux in 1942.
A council spokesperson said demolition will take place “in the coming weeks” and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Work on the new Bransbury play park will begin this autumn, with the main leisure building and GP surgery scheduled to start in early 2026 and finish in 2027.