February 2008
Recommendations to demolish Forest Hill Pools and replace the building with a new leisure facility have been accepted by the Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock.
It was a decision that Steve said was difficult to make: “I tried very hard to find a way to save the old pools but there is no affordable way to do it. It came as a real blow to find that the work needed to refurbish the pool was much greater than we anticipated.”
Several surveys of the pool were conducted by engineers showed the pools are beyond repair. Attempts to refurbish them would result in spiralling costs. Steve said: “Faced with that fact, I took the only responsible decision that someone in my position could do – replace the Victorian building with a modern 21st century building.”
The vision for the new pool includes a 25m main pool, a learner pool and a full range of leisure facilities for all ages.
Steve wants to hear what facilities you think should be included alongside the new pool building. Please email annette.stead@lewisham.gov.uk or write to Annette Stead, Sport & Leisure Service, Lewisham Council, 1st Floor Town Hall Chambers, Rushey Green, Catford, London SE6 4RU.
Consultancy reports, providing details of the various surveys undertaken, are available to download from this website or for reference at Forest Hill Library.
September 2007
Currently, detailed costs and timelines on refurbishment of Forest Hill Pools are being worked up by council officers in Property Services.
The Council has asked Parkwood Leisure to continue to have a staff presence at the pool, and keep the Victorian pool plant working and the building heated to ensure its structural integrity. A 24 hour security presence is also on site.
December 2006
The intrusive survey into Forest Hill Pools has concluded that the building has retained its structural integrity, that the defects can be rectified and that refurbishing the pools is a viable option. It has also concluded that the original roof should be replaced with a more cost and energy efficient new structure.
However, all the advice and experience of others, tells us that this kind of renovation work to Victorian buildings is costly and extremely challenging. There are real risks that the need for further work may be unearthed as the refurbishment begins in earnest.
Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, said 'So far so good, I am pleased that we can now go on to the next stage of the project in the new year'.
The overall costs of the works outlined in the survey could increase by 20% (£781,000) bringing the total figure up to £5.05m. However, it should be stressed that these figures are early estimates based on the survey findings and will need to be revised as the design and specifications for the project are worked up.
A summary of the survey and the revised costings report are available to download from the Lewisham Council website. However, a copy of the complete survey (minus floor plans) will be available to view at Forest Hill Library, Dartmouth Road from Friday 22nd December 2006.
October 2006
In August 2006 Lewisham Council commissioned Pinnacle ESP to complete an intrusive survey of the Forest Hill Pools site including investigations and surveys of the building foundations, drainage systems, pool tank condition, pool water circulation systems and ancillary plant, heating and ventilation units, general condition of the brickwork and the windows.
The survey works are now nearing completion and areas of investigation are being reinstated. The final report will be completed in late November and the details of the survey will then be used to formulate a cost to refurbish the facility. For more further details about Forest Hill Pools please contact Annette Stead on 0208 314 8496.
August 2006
This week, the design team met with the contractor to discuss the project programme and survey issues.
Scaffolding was erected within both the main pool and the activity pool to enable surveys of the timber beams and roof structure. Areas of ceiling panels have been opened up for survey.
A further 3 trial pits have been excavated around the outside of the building to expose the building foundations and give further information about the building construction.
The intrusive survey works at Forest Hill Pools began on Monday 14th August with Herrass fencing being set up on site and scaffolding being erected along the front elevation of the building, to give the contractors full access to the structure.
Both pools have now been drained of all water, exposing the cracks in both pool tanks which are to be investigated further over the coming week. In addition, main pool wall plates have been exposed above the balcony to enable a detailed survey to take place.
Four trial pits have been excavated around the edges of the main pool and the activity pool to expose the pool drainage, filtration pipework and the pool tank foundations. These pits will also provide information on the building construction and its current condition. CCTV will be used over the coming weeks to investigate lengths of pipework.
English Heritage has now written formally to Lewisham Council concerning a proposal to list Forest Hill Pools. The letter, along with a detailed adviser's report, recommends that the pools are not listed. In the letter they say:
'The Secretary of State, after consulting English Heritage, the Government's statutory adviser, has decided not to add the above building to the list. The reasons are: Forest Hill Baths, Lewisham, 1885 by Wilson and Son and Thomas Aldwinckle, are covered public baths which originally combined first and second class pools with slipper baths, principally for male use, behind a red brick and terracotta façade with Flemish style gables. They are of interest in that they retain their original pools, and ancillary structures, such as ticket offices and laundry machinery. They also make a positive contribution to the streetscape, and along with Holy Trinity School, Forest Hill Library and Louise house, form a distinct group of buildings which reflect the Victorians' enthusiasm for education and health reform.
However, their architectural interest is limited in comparison to contemporary listed baths, and there have been significant losses and alterations to the interior, including the removal of all of the original slipper baths and changing cubicles.
Therefore they are not of sufficient special architectural or historic interest in a national context to fulfil the criteria for listing'.
March 2006
Forest Hill Pools have been closed pending their redevelopment following health and safety advice.
Detailed investigations of the building will now be undertaken to establish the extent of the problems with the roof. The pools will not now be able to be re-opened until their full refurbishment. It remains the policy of the Council to maintain swimming at this site.