Wendy Jones, chairman of the Redhill Residents Association presented a petition to Herefordshire Council's chairman, Councillor John Stone, before the full council meeting on Friday, October 31, seeking help to bring the Belmont Pools into community ownership.
The petition, signed by 600 people and calling for the council to help fund the purchase of the Belmont Pools, will now go to Councillor Harry Bramer, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for resources.
The South Wye Regeneration Partnership is working closely with Herefordshire Council to source funding opportunities to bring the Belmont Pools into community ownership.
SWRP launched a public appeal in July to purchase the Belmont Pools in the middle of the Haywood Country Park site. The eight-hectare pools site, currently in private ownership, is made up of four acres of beautiful woodland and two man-made pools which offer a wonderful asset to Herefordshire.
The Pools went to auction in the summer but did not reach their reserve so SWRP then led a community appeal to purchase the Pools with the intention of bringing them into community ownership.
This appeal is now well under way with pledges having been made from Hereford City Council, Belmont Rural Parish Council and members of the public but there is still a shortfall.
Will Lindesay, chair of SWRP, said: "Although a feasibility study was carried out it is clear that more detailed business planning is required, however the purchase of Belmont pools is integral to the overall plan. We have also received a petition signed by 200 people in support of the lakes being brought into community ownership.
"We see the purchase of the pools as part of a phased approach and, with this in mind, SWRP has requested that Herefordshire Council negotiate a best value purchase of the pools and woodland site to link in with the adjacent Newton Coppice already in council ownership.
"We are looking to take forward discussing this fantastic
opportunity with Herefordshire Council and overcoming any issues
that would prevent the Pools from becoming a vital public leisure
space in Hereford City," he added.
Councillor Phil Edwards, ward member for Belmont, said: "The
council is also the owner of Haywood Lane (a well used local road
which passes over one of the historic engineered dams for the
pools) so it is the formal body best placed to take on ownership
and ongoing responsibility.
"Bringing this site into public ownership will contribute to our vision "to put people first, provide for our community, preserve our heritage, promote the county and protect our future," he added.