A great deal of work remains to be done before the delivery of Chard’s new swimming pool can begin.

South Somerset District Council is providing the town with a new pool and leisure centre as part of its flagship Chard Regeneration Scheme, comprising a number of different regeneration projects.

Phase one of the scheme – including a replacement for the defunct Cresta Leisure Centre – was granted planning permission in early-September.

Now the council has provided details of what work will be needed on the ground before construction of the new facilities can begin in early-2020.

Alex Parmley, the council’s chief executive, suggested that demolition would begin by the end of October when the plans for the new pool were approved on September 3.

He told the council’s area west committee: “We would envision demolition to commence in October with a view to construction starting in January 2020.”

Rebecca McElliott, the council’s property and development project manager, published an update before the same committee’s most recent meeting in Chard on Wednesday evening (October 16).

She said in her written report: “The first element of work is the demolition and enabling works.

“This will include setting up the site, with fencing and hoarding as required, and asbestos removal and associated works in line with surveys.

“Demolition and temporary works will be undertaken as required where Building 11 is to be left and the archway retained. Mains services will also be disconnected.”

Due to buildings regulations, the council cannot demolish structures within the curtilage of listed buildings unless they are in a position to rapidly replace them with something else.

To enable this to happen, the council is trying to finalise the costs for phase one – which will encompass the swimming pool and leisure centre, the library and community hub, and public realm improvements near Boden Mill.

Ms McElliott said the council had “a high degree of confidence” in the overall cost of this phase – but would not specify any estimated amount, citing commercial sensitivity.

She added: “Work is currently being undertaken to progress costings to a point which will give us cost certainty, at which stage we will be in a

position to finalise the budget for phase one.

“The phase one construction target completion date is summer 2021.

“While phase one construction is ongoing, we will be preparing a planning application for phase two and implementing some of the softer interventions as part of the wider Chard Regeneration Scheme programme.

“This includes support to attract artisan or independent retailers to the town, support to develop the growth of local food producers and food businesses, and undertaking a market health check in partnership with the town council.”