CAMPAIGNERS hoping to bring back swimming to Minehead say they are frustrated the former Aquasplash site remains derelict – seven years since it closed.

The land where the former pool and leisure centre complex used to stand – between the Tesco car park and the roundabout for Morrisons – has not been used since West Somerset Council closed Aquasplash in 2007 because it said it was not financially viable.

And it is now over a year since West Somerset Council announced its intention to sell the site, with supermarket Lidl and pub and restaurant chain Whitbread named the preferred buyers.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Discussions over the sale of land at Seaward Way are progressing.

"There is no set date for completion at this stage.”

Peter Wellstood, a retired engineer from Porlock, has been leading a campaign to get the town a community swimming pool for a number of years Peter says he has not given up his efforts but that is “frustrating” that the old Aquasplash site is lying dormant when it was originally earmarked for a swimming pool.

“It’s very frustrating because it is the perfect site for Minehead because it is the first thing people see when they come into Minehead.

“Having a swimming pool there would show visitors that Minehead has more than just some shops.

“It would be perfect to bring visitors to the area.”

Mr Wellstood said he is considering other plots of land for the project.

MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset Ian Liddell-Grainger said: “This site should be sold as soon as possible.

“The council say they have no money so they cannot afford to sit on valuable sites like these. It needs to be sold.”

Graham Sizer, chairman of Minehead Chamber of Commerce, said: “We don’t support a development by Lidl on that land because there is no need for another supermarket and it will draw business away from the town centre.

“But we do understand that there is a want for the store and the district council need the money.

“We would prefer that the land was used for community projects like a swimming pool but we understand that that is an expensive project for the district council too.”

Lidl and Whitbread had not responded to requests for comment as the County Gazette went to press.