Plans to create a lido in a park in Bristol are a step closer after the council has given the go ahead.
There are proposals to build a Lido at one of the unused bowling green sites of Eastville Park, which include creating a 25m pool, changing rooms, sauna, gym, café and event space. The group behind the project submitted plans to the council after residents were invited to have their say last year.
A member of the Eastville Park Lido steering group has now said: "We have been given the go ahead from the council but we don't know yet what the next steps are.
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"It is great news but we still have a long way to go. We are waiting on the council to give us more details on what happens next, but we don't know when that may be.
"We are just really excited, this will be an opportunity for the whole community and will be so good for health and wellbeing. It would make a massive difference.
"We are really pleased that the other group has also been given the go ahead so that there is more offering and diversity at the park after a lack of facilities over the years."
The Friends of Eastville Park oppose the lido project because they are concerned about the environmental impact, the volume of traffic and the financial risk. Instead, they are proposing to create a community hub.
The member of the Eastville Park Lido steering group confirmed it will have to get its own funding, but that they will work in collaboration with the council. The group has previously said their consultation showed "strong support" for a Lido in Eastville Park - which was bombed in World War Two and never reinstated.
Draft designs for the Lido show a café overlooking a park on one side, with the swimming pool and changing rooms on the other. The group has previously said the project will be set up as a "non-profit social enterprise" with money being funnelled back into the park to help with upkeep.
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