CONTROVERSIAL council plans for a £16m swimming complex in Blackbird Leys moved closer to reality last night after planning permission was reaffirmed.

Labour-controlled Oxford City Council granted planning consent for the council’s project in April, but that was subsequently called in for review by opposition councillors.

The review was held last night and the council’s newly created planning review committee reaffirmed the original decision.

But the meeting had to been suspended for ten minutes after campaigner Jane Alexander interjected.

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

Committee chairman Antonia Bance said: “I think the application is a good one, it makes a strong case for new development of major leisure and economic potential on one of our most deprived estates.”

The council will only be committed to the project once contracts are signed with a builder and that will depend on estimated costs coming in within budget.

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

They claim many swimmers will struggle to get to Blackbird Leys by public transport.

Nigel Gibson, who has led the campaign, said: “The council is committed to reducing the need to travel by private transport.

“I don’t see how siting leisure facilities outside the ring road in a residential area with only one bus route is a sustainable way of addressing this.”

The council claims the Cowley 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. The existing Blackbird Leys pool, which is open on a limited basis, would also close as part of the council’s plan.