Hundreds sign petition against £60m aquatic plans for Smethwick
Hundreds of residents have signed a petition to save land where a proposed £60 million aquatics centre in Smethwick could be built.
Plans have been submitted to build the state-of-the-art centre, which will be used for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, on Londonderry Playing Fields.
But a Sandwell Council report revealed that 214 residents had signed a 'Save Londonderry Playing Fields' petition, which is being investigated by officers.
The plans include a 50 metre Olympic-sized pool, a 25m diving pool and 1,000 spectator seats – with an extra 4,000 temporary seats for the games.
The proposals have been met with objections by people living in the area who say have said the centre is being planned for the wrong place in the middle of a residential area – resulting in a loss of green space and increased traffic.
Councillor Bill Gavan, cabinet member for leisure, previously said: "The centre will give us a great legacy for Sandwell beyond the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games."
Sandwell Council's planning committee are due to discuss their proposals at their meeting later this month.
