Future Lido - developing the shallow end

Yes. Key consultation and awareness points include:

• Early plans consultation at Lido Pavilion (17–18 November 2022).
• Feedback published on website (29 November 2022).
• Full engagement with Places Leisure and Wandsworth Council throughout the process.
• Presentation of final plans at Woodfield Pavilion (25 February 2023).
• Fundraising and link to the Future Lido page included in the membership renewal letter (5 March 2023).
• Permanent display of the Future Lido plans and artist impressions on the railway side of the Lido (April 2023).
• Reference in President’s Report at AGM (5 March 2023).
• Fundraising mentioned in renewal letter (April 2023).
• Future Lido exhibition (27 January 2024).
• Special newsletter focused solely on the Future Lido project sent to the full mailing list (over 11,000 recipients) on 1 October 2024.
• Future Lido member fundraising video launched (Autumn 2024)
• Art Sale fundraising event announcement shared via newsletter on 22 October 2024.

Yes. Feedback remains vital as planning and fundraising progress. We welcome questions and ideas at the Club Clinics which the committee members host regularly. You can send an email to the Future Lido team: futurelido@slsc.org.uk.  We have incorporated questions about the Lido and its facilities into the Lido User survey (July/Aug 25) to ensure members’ views continue to shape the project along with those from all other lido users.

Please email your ideas and questions to futurelido@slsc.org.uk and the committee will read and review everything that comes to us and update the FAQs with any new queries.

To address urgent functional shortcomings and future-proof the Lido with sustainable, inclusive, and accessible facilities.

Refurbishment was carefully considered. However, the facilities built in 2002 were not only poorly insulated and inadequate for today’s usage levels, but their round shape made incorporating them into a modern, sustainable redevelopment particularly challenging. Architects advised that creating new buildings would be far more efficient, both environmentally and financially.  The plans also considered recycling the existing materials as far as practicable.
That said, if there are sustainable and future-proof ways to incorporate any existing elements while supporting the vision for the site’s long-term legacy, we remain open to ideas. Please email news@slsc.org.uk if you have suggestions.

– Solar PV panels.
– Innovative water source heat pumps.
– Low-carbon materials.
– Water-efficient toilets and showers/Grey water recycling
– Inclusive design principles such as recycled building materials.

As part of the Pavilion and Pump House works, adjustments were made to the Lido footprint, as a result we will be able to move the northern boundary fence, which is expected to deliver a gain of approximately 200 sqm of additional space. This additional space more than offsets any sunbathing area that would be lost under the current redevelopment proposals (as of April 2025), ensuring ample room for both circulation and relaxation.

The addition of solar panels and a desire to create changing facilities that are highly insulated and as sustainable as possible led to the current design approach. Minimising windows helps maintain energy efficiency. However, this is not the final design and incorporating changes that do not compromise the building’s sustainability goals remains possible.

This was discussed at the recent Club Clinic (April 2025) where reassurances were given that wind conditions and the microclimate were considered in the design process. However, until we are closer to the final design of the redevelopment, it is not possible to provide a full report on these aspects.

A core principle of the Future Lido project — across both the “Fit for Purpose” and “Fit for Future” elements — is to ensure that essential facilities remain available at all times. Careful planning and sequencing have been designed to allow continued member and public access while improvements are delivered

Sauna facilities are generally considered temporary structures — similar to the current sauna — and typically do not require formal planning permission.

While space for improved sauna provision has been allowed for in the redevelopment plans, detailed designs do not need to be included in the current planning consents.

Future sauna upgrades will focus on sustainable, efficient solutions to support winter-only use by members, enhancing the Lido’s year-round offer without increasing the environmental footprint.

We are investigating interim improvements to the sauna provision independent of the Future Lido plans.

There will be at least as many bike parking spaces as there are at the moment.

As part of earlier research, a splash pad facility to replace the paddling pool was explored and costed. A splash pad could offer benefits, such as not requiring dedicated lifeguard cover and being more accessible during warmer months.

Whilst it is not included in the current redevelopment plans, we need to remain mindful of the site operator’s ambitions to make changes in the future. Further consultation with members and users will guide any potential developments

Plans call for 12–20 gender-neutral toilets, expanded shower facilities (both indoor and outdoor), and family/accessible changing spaces.

Yes. As well as disabled toilets and shower for independent users, there will be a Changing Places Room. Changing Places are designed so that they are completely accessible and provide sufficient space and equipment for people who need carer support. There will also be gender-neutral WCs, showers and changing rooms.

Permanent infrastructure is necessary to meet capacity, sustainability, and accessibility goals without sacrificing valuable “beach” space. Pop-up solutions do not meet the criteria for future-fit facilities capable of supporting the long-term viability and inclusive community use of the Lido.

While we cannot know the final café offering at the point the redevelopment is completed, as this will depend on who the site operator is at that time, the aims of the project include:

• Extended availability throughout the year.
• Expanded menu to healthier choices.
• Dual-access for Common and Lido users.
• Better shelter for rainy days.
• Greater revenue generation to support overall site sustainability.

The current café operator offers this service so there is the possibility that the future café operator could offer an ice cream van or similar service as part of their summer offering as well.

Specific details about the café operator and additional seasonal services will be shaped as the redevelopment progresses, with the aim of supporting both a vibrant Lido experience and the café’s long-term sustainability.

 It will be designed for flexible use by SLSC in winter

The new space will also offer welcome shelter year-round — whether from summer sun, rain, or cold winter weather — helping the Lido serve its members and the wider community in all seasons.

While no specific visualisations of peak summer crowds have been created, the needs and pressures of busy periods have been central to the planning process. Designs have been developed with those high-usage times firmly in mind to ensure the site remains welcoming and functional even at peak capacity.

Through a combination of:
– Member fundraising.
– Sponsorship.
– S106 contributions (TBC – dependent on available grants)
– Sport England/Swim England grants.
– Commercial partnerships.
– Club reserves.

No. SLSC is not seeking direct funding from Wandsworth Council but is asking for their full support to move the project forward.

We have currently spent approximately £175,000 getting the plans to their current state. It was made clear at the most recent Club Clinic dedicated to the Future Lido project that the artist impressions do not necessarily reflect the reality of the final project, due to the many uncertainties involved in progressing from the planning phase to groundbreaking and full construction. Further detailed cost breakdowns will follow once fundraising targets are finalised and construction planning becomes more certain.