CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save an Oxford swimming pool claim they have been left high and dry by the city council.

A review of the council’s decision to grant itself planning permission to build a new pool in Blackbird Leys was set to be held on Wednesday, June 29.

But the meeting will instead be held tomorrow night.

The planning consent paves the way for the council to build a £16m pool complex in Pegasus Road to replace the Temple Cowley Pools.

Campaigners fighting to save Temple Cowley claim moving the meeting means many of their supporters will not be able to attend.

Jane Alexander, who has led the campaign, said: “This is half-term and lots of people are away.

“Lots of people won’t be there because they didn’t know it was happening. It’s appalling.”

Those fighting to keep the Temple Road baths open say they are ideally located for people in the south of the city and could be updated for £3m.

But the council claims the pool, which has a £2.6m maintenance backlog, has reached the end of its life. It says it is more cost-effective to build a new pool next to Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre and share its facilities.

Planning consent was granted in May but was subsequently called in for review by 11 Green and Liberal Democrat councillors. The call-in will be debated at the first meeting of the council’s planning review committee, at Oxford Town Hall, in St Aldate’s, at 5pm.

Council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “Members were notified of the meeting on May 20 and the agenda and accompanying report were published with five clear working days’ notice, as the authority is required to do.”