4:04PM, Tue Aug 21, 2012

Protestors Turn Out In Rubber Rings For Tynemouth Lido Regeneration Flashmob

By Jenny Wotherspoon Location: Tynemouth

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Picture gallery

Goggles and rubber rings at Tynemouth lido flashmob protest

Braving the rain, protestors gathered to voice concerns about North Tyneside Council's regeneration plan for the abandoned oudoor pool.

The council are hoping to spend £1m to create a paddling pool, water features and a viewing area where the lido currently sits.

There are also plans to create an area where plays, operas and music events can be staged.

But protestors say they want the lido to be restored for its original purpose as an outdoor swimming pool.

The suggested changes need to pass planning approvals before they can be carried out.

North Tyneside Council say: "We are aware of the wish of some members of the community to have Tynemout outdoor pool returned to its original state.

"However, the costs involved in delivering such a scheme would be substantial... It would not be a good use of already reduced public resources."

Video: Sky Tyne And Wear's Joe Daunt reporting on the £1m lido regeneration scheme

The group are running a survey through their Facebook page to find out what residents want to be done with the pool.

They are also encouraging people to add their objections to the council's planning pages for the project.

The lido was opened on May 30, 1925 to promote safer swimming after a number of deaths in the North Sea.

It hosted the Miss Tyne Tees TV beauty competition in 1971, and was converted into a rock pool in 1996.

Other sea-view lidos now derelict include one in North Berwick which was turned into a car park.

The open-air pool on Aberdeen's coast is now used by the local model boat club.

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