Consultation event for new Dawley swimming pool plans

Residents are being invited to take a closer look at plans for the new Captain Matthew Webb Swimming and Fitness Centre in Dawley, which will create a first class leisure facility to meet the needs of the local community and enhance the borough’s leisure offer.

Over 150,000 swims per year will be available at the new pool with an additional 150 places on the weekly learn to swim programme, community access to health and fitness will be increased by 50 hours per week and more than 20 local jobs will also be created as part of the development.

Proposals for the Captain Matthew Webb Swimming & Fitness Centre include a new five-lane pool, which will be similar size to that at Abraham Darby Sports and Leisure Centre, to be located at Telford Langley School.

In addition to the pool, a new larger health and fitness facility, including a new Council owned and operated gym and exercise class studio, will be relocated to the leisure building. 

This will in turn release the current health and fitness room for more education space for the school.

It will also add to the Council’s current estate of ten swimming, fitness and leisure facilities across Telford and Wrekin.

Plans will be revealed at a consultation event at Telford Langley School, Telford, TF4 3JS on Friday 6 June (3-7pm).

Telford & Wrekin Council is committed to building the new swimming pool in Dawley to meet current and future demand identified in the Council’s Indoor Leisure Facilities Strategy.

The Dawley area has the highest level of unmet demand for swimming provision and following a review of potential sites adding to the sports facilities at Telford Langley School was considered to be the best option.

The site already offers extensive sports and leisure provision for use by the Communities Academy Trust and the local community and the new pool will also provide facilities for local primary schools.

Work at the Captain Matthew Webb Swimming Pool, named to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Captain Matthew Webb’s historic swim across the English Channel, will also focus on low energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Plans have been developed in consultation with the Academy which is fully supportive of the proposals and actively engaged as part of the project team.

Subject to planning approval the new facilities are set to open in early 2027.

This project is all part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s ongoing investment to create a better borough whilst retaining the lowest council tax in the Midlands.

Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism, Culture & the Arts, said:

“This significant programme of investment follows on from the works completed at Oakengates Leisure Centre (2024), Newport Fitness and Swimming Centre (2022) and Wellington Civic and Leisure Centre which is due to complete in summer 2025.

“The new swimming pool and leisure facilities will be a huge boost for Dawley, giving local people fantastic leisure facilities on their doorstep.

“Swimming is a key contributor to improved health and well-being and if plans are approved we will be supporting the health of our residents, increasing opportunities for children to learn to swim, and promoting an active lifestyle for all.

“We look forward to keeping our residents updated with the plans.”

Swimming is a key contributor to improved health and well-being and in 2022, Swim England reported that swimming helped prevent more than 78,500 cases of ill health across the country.

By providing this new facility, the aim is to support the health of residents, increase opportunities for children to learn to swim and promote an active lifestyle for all.

Telford & Wrekin Council is the largest provider of swimming lessons for children in Telford and Wrekin and the Council’s Leisure services’ branded swimming lessons programme is delivered through its Swim4Life programme.

Emma Blount, Telford Langley School Headteacher, said:

“The Telford Langley School eagerly anticipates the construction of the swimming pool in Dawley.

“As a school, we have passionately promoted sports and fitness at every level. We already work with Telford and Wrekin Leisure to welcome community users.

“The pool will not only enhance the facilities available but will also provide a valuable opportunity for the community to learn a key life skill.

“The new centre will also commemorate the memory of Joshua Lloyd, who sadly passed away in June 2023.”

Gaby Lander, Senior Business Manager at Telford Langley School, said:

“The Telford Langley school strongly supports the development of a community swimming pool on site. 

“The development addresses the urgent need for additional educational space within our school, an oversubscribed eight form entry secondary school.   

“We believe that this facility will provide significant benefits to our students and the wider community, who sit in the top 10% of deprivation nationally.

“Access to a swimming pool will not only promote physical fitness and wellbeing but also offer an essential life skill.

“Additionally, it will foster a sense of community and provide a safe, supervised environment for recreational activities on the doorstep of our community.”