> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Fresh hope for Broomhill as council regains lease of derelict site - URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/fresh-hope-for-broomhill-as-council-regains-lease-of-derelict-site/ - Published: 2026-10-21T07:57:26.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T09:49:41.000Z - Description: Ipswich Borough Council has reclaimed control of Broomhill Lido after its lease to former operator Fusion Lifestyle ended when the company collapsed into administration in April, offering a glimmer of hope for those who want to see the historic lido restored. - Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams - Tags: News, Broomhill Lido, Broomhill Pool Trust, Neil MacDonald, Ipswich Borough Council **Why it matters:** The move hands the council sole control of the Grade II listed lido's future for the first time in years, but a fresh funding bid is now needed before planning permission expires in December 2027. **The details:** Broomhill Lido was leased to Fusion Lifestyle by the council, which owns the freehold and had been trying to bring the site back into use. Administrators have now returned control of the site to the council, and council leader Neil MacDonald said the authority had also secured the rights to the architectural plans from the receivers. - The Grade II listed lido first opened in 1938 and closed in 2002. - Restoring the Art Deco building is expected to cost at least £10m. - The National Lottery Heritage Fund withdrew nearly £7m in grants in July 2025 over concerns about Fusion Lifestyle's financial viability. - The council had committed to providing the remaining £3.3m. - Planning permission for the restoration was granted in December 2024 and will expire in December 2027. **What they're saying:** Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader, Ipswich Borough Council, said: "Broomhill Lido is one of Ipswich's most treasured heritage assets and holds a special place in the hearts of many local people. We are pleased to have reached this important milestone, which allows us to begin the work needed to move the redevelopment forward. "There is still a significant amount of work ahead, and we want to be open that restoring a site of this scale and historic importance will take time. However, our commitment to bringing Broomhill Lido back into sustainable public use remains unchanged, and we look forward to working with partners, funders and the community as the project develops." He said a successful National Lottery bid would be critical, as it would provide the bulk of the funding needed for the restoration, and that Hanford Developments would manage the development in-house, citing its work on the Grimwades building as an example. **What's next:** The council said a project manager was already working on the restoration plans and "engaging with external funding partners". Mr MacDonald said that, subject to securing funding, the council expects to provide a further update on progress in summer 2027. **For context:** The lido has been the subject of a long-running campaign, with the Broomhill Pool Trust previously warning that losing the project to the December 2027 deadline would be "scandalous" given the public money already spent. Responding to the latest development, the trust said it "cautiously welcomes" the council's progress in securing the lease and the designs, noting Broomhill is one of 20 listed lidos in the UK and the only one not saved, restored or operational. **The bottom line:** With control of the site and the designs back in council hands, the scheme's fate now rests on whether Ipswich Borough Council can secure the funding needed to get spades in the ground before time runs out. --- **Don't forget:** If you enjoy our content, please [add Ipswich.co.uk as a "preferred source" on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=ipswich.co.uk&ref=ipswich.co.uk) so you can easily find more of the content you value. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=ipswich.co.uk&ref=ipswich.co.uk) --- ### This article cost us \~£27 to produce It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners. Please support us by supporting them.