Embattled pool plan finally wins a double social enterprise victory

A much-thwarted plan by a social enterprise to build a swimming pool and more than 300 flats on London’s South Bank jumped its final hurdle today.

The Court of Appeal dismissed a challenge brought by a private individual against Coin Street Community Builders’ Doon Street scheme – which includes the headquarters of a world famous ballet company.

The Court of Appeal also refused consent to appeal to the Supreme Court.

‘We are delighted that we are finally able to move forward with our plans for 329 new homes and these much-needed public swimming and indoor leisure facilities. It will substantially improve the environment around Waterloo Bridge and the National Theatre and will enhance London’s skyline,’ said Coin Street group director Iain Tuckett.

Local MP and the London mayor's commissioner for sport Kate Hoey said: ‘I am delighted by the Court's decision. Nowhere in London has a greater need for a leisure centre such as this. It will make a real difference to the lives of so many people. Along with fellow residents, I look forward to making use of this fantastic new facility right in the heart of our community.’

Construction is now due to begin in spring 2011 and the site will include the new headquarters and dance studios of the Rambert Dance Company.

The leisure centre requires some £25m to build and £412,000 per annum on-going revenue subsidy. It will be owned by Coin Street Centre Trust and operated by social enterprise leisure company Greenwich Leisure. The commercial residential development would fund most of the capital cost and all of the on-going revenue subsidy required for the leisure centre.

Coin Street's proposals for the Doon Street site were approved by Lambeth Council in August 2007 and by the Mayor of London in September 2007.

But on 25 September 2007, the then Secretary of State called in the application for the eastern end of the site for examination.

The public inquiry ended on 7 March 2008 and a decision from the Secretary of State granting consent was made on 20 August 2008. After further challenges, the High Court upheld the consent on 17 September 2009.

At that stage challengers English Heritage and Westminster Council backed down – but a private individual - funded by legal aid - took the case to the Court of Appeal.

Finally, the judges Appeal Court judges announced today that they saw ‘no merit in the submission that the Secretary of State’s decision was inadequately reasoned’.