A COUNCIL has refuted claims by an MP that it is pouring cold water on plans to build a new swimming pool for Redcar.

Persimmon Homes, which is to redevelop the 35-acre Coatham Enclosure in Redcar in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, is aiming to include a swimming pool in the development.

But Redcar MP Vera Baird, who is also the president of Get Redcar A Swimming Pool, said that the council wrote to her stressing there would be a funding gap on the project which would put the inclusion of a pool in doubt.

"It is absurd that a town the size of Redcar does not have a swimming pool," said Mrs Baird.

"If the pool is not the first priority in this development then the people of Redcar will feel totally let down by the council."

She said that GRASP's committee members were not impressed by the present proposal for a leisure pool, which does not specify a swimming pool.

But Vera Moody, cabinet member of economic development, said the council had given a firm direction to the developers that their first priority within the development is to have a swimming pool in Redcar.

Plans for the multi-million pound transformation of the seafront are on display at Redcar central library until Monday. Options designed to turn Coatham enclosure into a major tourist attraction include a leisure centre and pool, an eight-court sports hall and a tenpin bowling alley.

A proposed extreme sports facility would incorporate an indoor skating arena, cycle arena and children's activity centre.

Other options could include a visitor centre with beach observation tower, a cinema and a performance area.

Simon Usher, from Persimmon, said: "In our opinion, nothing has changed about the commitment to have a pool for Redcar, but Persimmon does not profess to know what the right solution is. That is why we have had the consultation."