£200k down the plug at old Wolverhampton baths

A report will be considered by Wolverhampton City Council's cabinet resources panel tonight, which would see a further £120,000 spent on the disused Heath Town Baths since its closure in 2003.

The council will explore future options for the Tudor Road site, which was closed after the council's health and safety team deemed the building unsafe, after plans to create a multi-million pound sports academy fell through.

In October it was revealed the council had contributed £25,000 to a feasibility study for the Tessa Sanderson Foundation Academy, which was later shelved.

Councillor Peter Bilson, the council's regeneration chief, said: "There have been a number of attempts to find a long term use for the building, most recently by the Tessa Sanderson Foundation, who wished to use the building and adjacent vacant land as a Sports Academy.

"Tessa Sanderson has recently confirmed that she does not have the resources to continue to promote a Sports Academy at this location."

As a result the council has reviewed its position regarding this important asset, Councillor Bilson said, and a report will be considered tonight to seek authority to improve the security of the building, and commission feasibility work to find a sustainable and deliverable use for the building and adjoining land. The findings would be reported to council in June.

He added: "The Council will continue to work with the local community, in particular the Heath Park Community Action Network, as part of this process to secure a long term use of the property."

The Grade II listed building has been the target of theft and damage in the decade it has been empty, and spokesman Gulraj Kular said the council estimates it has spent £85,000 on the building, including work on the site and various reports and studies, but excluding the demolition of the modern sports hall.

Councillor Elias Mattu, cabinet member for leisure and communities, said in his view the baths was a lovely building and should be preserved.

"It is a piece of history that will disappear. I think that building has been a very prominent building for many years, with a number of generations of local people using the building."

Under the Heathfield Park Neighbourhood plan, the site is designated for community or leisure use, which Councillor Mattu said would be a 'most welcome scheme'.

He said: "I think the local views are very important, and I think that local people really want to keep that site. I would like the community to be consulted on it.

"I think there is a lack of leisure facilities in the Heath Town area - it could be used for anything, for all age groups. Leisure can have anything, and there definitely is a need for leisure facilities in the area."

The proposal is to be considered in the public excluded section of tonight's cabinet resources panel meeting.