Work begins on National Open Water Swimming Centre of Excellence by Sea Lanes Brighton

Work is underway on the long-awaited Sea Lanes Brighton development. Expected to open in Spring 2023, the plan is underway to create the UK’s first National Open Water Swimming Centre of Excellence which will include a heated 50m open air swimming pool, an endless pool training facility and commercial spaces.

Located on a currently dilapidated site on Brighton seafront to the east of the pier, the development will include 39 small business units suitable for retail, health and fitness, office space as well as a food court with street food kiosks and an outdoor seating area.

The first stage of work has now been completed with new boardwalks installed and the relocation of the coastal vegetated shingle habitat. The small business units are due to begin construction shortly and will be completed in Autumn 2022, and the pool will begin in Autumn 2022 with an opening date of Spring 2023.

The idea behind the project is not just to increase pool provision for the area but also to act as a stepping stone to getting more people to swim in the sea. Making the pool open air and heated will help make the step from indoor pool to sea easier. It’s hoped that a new centre of excellence will help open water swimming get to the forefront of sport in the UK.

Joe McNulty, Sea Lanes Brighton Director says: “Unfortunately we have had to delay the construction due to concerns around access to the storm water collection drain which runs deep underground along Brighton beach. We are working closely with Southern Water to find a solution to their concerns; however it is holding up our pre-commencement planning conditions so we are therefore unable to begin work.

As soon as these final conditions are signed off, we will begin work on the small business units to the North of the Volks Railway and hope to have this part of Sea Lanes completed in Autumn this year. Work on the pool can then begin in October after the Volks Railway has closed for the season. We are aiming for a Spring 2023 opening of the pool which will complete the National Open Water Swimming Centre.”