Project to protect Shoalstone Pool begins despite concerns

Despite reaching an important milestone and achieving a phenomenal fundraising target, the election of a new government has cast uncertainty over the ongoing efforts to protect Shoalstone Seawater Pool from the waves.

Shoalstone has been fundraising for repairs to the northwest corner of the pool since October 2023, after a storm caused significant damage. Despite being used since the 19th century, the pool is now vulnerable to structural collapse, should it fall victim to another fierce storm.

However, by the beginning of 2024 the Save Shoalstone from the Waves campaign reached the match funding target set by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities and so were eligible to apply for major funding.

On April 14th Shoalstone submitted a bid for £514,000 funding from the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities. This money will – combined with the Save Shoalstone from the Waves money raised and donated across the community, plus pledged money from Brixham Town Council and Torbay Council – deliver the engineering works needed to secure Shoalstone for the next generations.

Unfortunately, decisions on the funding bid have been paused due to the election and will not restart until the new Ministerial Team has determined the future of the fund, leaving questions as to when and how the pool will be saved.

However, Operations Manager David Thomas has said that while the decisions are being worked through, the pool has been prepared for the engineering part of the project to kick off as soon as the final tranche of the funding is secured.

David Thomas said: “Thanks to the generous support given to the Save Shoalstone from the Waves Campaign we have been able to start the work by undertaking the necessary environmental, marine and engineering surveys and now planning applications have been prepared, so that the Save Shoalstone project has truly begun.”

Although the pool remains threatened by storms until the funding is secured and the work completed, Shoalstone has so far had another fantastic season, underlining its importance to both the community and the tourism industry.

David said: “From the Soroptomists' Santa Run to the Queens Arms Beer Festival, Brixham has supported the big repairs project.

“Meanwhile through the summer numerous events – from the Furzeham Bowls Club plant sale to the summer Quayside Shanty Concerts - Brixham has constantly worked to keep the pool going.”

“Fixing the pool may be the highest long-term priority, but keeping the pool open through the summer is our great achievement. Come down and enjoy the summer’s heat by the pool.”