CAMPAIGNERS seeking to save the Victoria Baths claim they have been sidelined by city council plans.

The authority has asked architects to draw up designs for a new leisure centre at the site, next to Sneinton Market.

But Save the Victoria Baths Campaign wants to see the landmark building refurbished, rather than rebuilt, and says its ideas are not reflected in the guidance document.

Campaigners claim that the current brief allows architects to propose a new pool on Brook Street, behind the existing site. And they say any change should include both adult and teaching pools, so the latter could double as an exclusive facility for groups who may wish to bathe separately., including Asian women.

The council brief includes that as one option – but suggests a simple overhaul of the Gala pool as another.

Baths campaigner Mat Anderson said: "We feel the council is pursuing its own agenda rather than respecting the wishes of the community.

"It is common sense to think very carefully about what exists and to see what can be sensibly salvaged. "This is even more important with the Victoria Baths because the building means so much to local people.

"In all the surveys undertaken by the council and ourselves an overwhelming majority want the current Victoria Baths building kept."

The campaigners warn against a scheme that seeks to keep the clock tower of the current building but demolishes everything else.

Ian Wells of the Nottingham Civic Society, said: "A wipe-the-slate-clean policy would be reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s, when much-loved buildings in Nottingham were destroyed."

The city council has robustly defended its actions.

A spokesman said: "We are very disappointed that the Save Victoria Baths Campaign Group are suggesting that they are being sidelined in this process, as this is not the case.

"Throughout the past few months elected members, the area committee and officers of the council have worked extremely hard to fully engage and communicate with campaigners, who themselves have nominated representatives to be an active part of the Victoria Leisure Centre Working Group.

"We will continue to listen to constructive suggestions to ensure we can develop a replacement leisure facility that reflects the local community requirements."

charles.walker@nottinghamevenongpost.co.uk