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The Gravesend Reporter of 2 April 1998 reported that Sevenoaks Council were consulting in Hartley and New Ash Green about whether people wanted a swimming pool here. I wrote to the council under the Freedom of Information Act for more details, and they have sent me the Feasibility Study Report.

Overall the report found in favour of a small local pool (4 lane pool, 25m long), which was endorsed as a priority by the then council. However local response to questionnaires was not high, and regional bodies were not very supportive of the idea. Those who did reply tended to be in favour, but that may not be too much of a surprise.

As an aside the papers also note the need of an additional hall in Hartley.

The report's findings are set out below.

Current Usage of Pools

Once again the majority of people in the north-east of Sevenoaks District use the facilities outside Sevenoaks District. Regrettably the report does not give specific figures but says the most popular destinations are first Cygnet (Northfleet), followed by Cascades (Gravesend) and White Oak (Swanley). Only 16% in the street survey go to Swanley. Other pools mentioned are Fairfield (Dartford) and Larkfield (Tonbridge).

They listed the following pools in the area:

• Municipal pools at Gravesend, Northfleet, Edenbridge, Sevenoaks, Swanley, Dartford, and Larkfield
• Private pool at Fredericks, Fawkham (In 1998 £150 to join and £552 pa thereafter)
• School pools at Meopham (Culverstone Green), Hextable (Furness), Dartford (NW Kent Coll), St Johns RC Comprehensive (Gravesend), all with limited public availability (mainly for clubs only). Also Sutton at Hone CE Primary, available to other schools.

• Local Organisations (19 of 89 replied) - half would use a new facility.
• Sports Clubs (5 of 6 replied) - not thought to be part of their remit but 2 said they would use a new facility.
• Schools (24 of 37 replied) - 46% travel to swim at present and 15 would be interested in using a new facility.
• New Ash Green Street/Surgery Survey (105 replies) - 87% of respondents do swim, and 88% said they would use a new swimming pool.
• New Ash Green Sports Centre (37 replies) - about 70% go elsewhere to swim, and when asked what improvements could be made 38% mentioned swimming. 97% were happy with the sports centre.
• Ash Parish Council - swimming facility most requested item on previous survey
• New Ash Green Village Association Ltd - apparently not in favour
• Public Meetings in Hartley and NAG - in favour, especially given poor local public transport. They also pointed out the neglect of this part of the district - why for example does Edenbridge with a comparable population have a swimming pool but not Hartley/NAG?

• New Ash Green Sports Centre (preferred location)
• New Ash Green Rugby Club
• Milestone School (the school requires access to hydrotherapy pool)
• West Kingsdown (confidential site)

They projected a total construction cost of £1,356,320 with an annual revenue cost of £111,070, based on 80,000 visits per year. This is similar to what Edenbridge Pool cost to build and run.

Overall conclusions of study

• People from Hartley/NAG area predominantly use facilities outside Sevenoaks District
• There is a strong local demand for a pool
• There is a theoretical shortfall in water space of 145 m², but a surplus in the district
• English Sports Council and KCC do not regard this area as a priority
• Public transport and access is a barrier to participation
• A pool here would not adversely affect White Oak pool

The Leisure Committee of the council on 29 October 1998, endorsed the need for a swimming pool here. They accepted no funds were available at present but it would become top priority when there were. Political control changed in 1999 and since then little more appears to have been heard, but I am not sure though whether it is particularly a party political matter.

Peter Mayer
February 2005