VOLUNTEERS hoping to take over Teignmouth’s popular seafront Lido have confirmed their bid has been submitted to owners Teignbridge Council.

Teignmouth Lido Community Trust was formed after the council announced earlier this year it would have to keep the pool closed this summer and sell it on the open market.

Following a public outcry, the closure decision was reversed for this season and the pool, as a designated Asset of Community Value, went on the market.

Now, the trust’s bid will be considered by councillors later this year.

Paul Burgess, chairman of Teignmouth Lido Community Trust, said: ‘This is an exciting stage in our campaign, we’ve submitted our bid to Teignbridge District Council to buy the site at a nominal sum and run the lido as a community trust.

‘We’re convinced we can make it work.

‘Our bid outlines how we can make it economically sustainable by increasing opening hours, extending the season and offering a range of complementary activities and events.

‘Over a hundred volunteers have offered to support the team, and we’ll be applying for grant funding and sponsorship.

‘This is our chance - given the go-ahead by Teignbridge District Council- to create a lasting legacy for the health, well-being and economy of Teignmouth.’

An independent report by experts has said the lido will provide economic and wellbeing benefits to the community worth around £7. 3m.

And a market research survey by Save The Lido has indicated 99.3per cent of residents want a community led organisation operating the Lido.

For sale sings went up at the pool earlier in the summer but community groups had until September to prepare their bid.

As the pool is an Asset of Community Value (ACV), a six-month moratorium on the sale was put in place to allow community groups time to prepare a bid, alongside private and commercial bids.

Teignmouth Lido Community Trust has said its ‘robust’ business plan incorporates an extended season and opening hours and an enhanced programme of community events.

All bidders have been asked to set out their proposals for the future use of the site.

Among the supporters of the bid is environment group Friends of the River Teign.

It has written to Teignbridge Council to confirm it’s backing for the community to run the pool.

A spokesman explained: ‘ Our monitoring shows that estuary water quality can change rapidly after rainfall, with elevated bacterial levels occurring outside the summer bathing season (and occasionally within it).

‘At other times, waves, swell and adverse sea conditions can make open-water swimming unsafe even when water quality is good.

‘The Lido therefore complements our beaches by providing a safe, controlled and accessible place to swim when conditions make the sea or estuary unsuitable.

‘As climate change brings more intense rainfall, extreme weather and emerging public-health risks, that role is likely to become even more important.

‘Securing the Lido’s future would be an investment in public health, wellbeing, resilience and safe access to swimming for generations to come.’