THE Victorian Society has joined forces with the Save the Victoria Baths campaign.

It is demanding that the pools and Turkish baths at the leisure centre are refurbished, rather than demolished.

The society also wants Nottingham City Council to keep the existing sports hall, with its vaulted ceiling.

But the council insists it is committed to creating a new facility on the site of the existing baths in Sneinton.

Of three proposals put forward earlier this month, the first option, to retain the existing pools but demolish the sports hall, is the one most favoured by campaigners – provided the hall is retained.

All of the options, however, reduce the space available to the leisure centre.

The council is hoping to encourage other developments, such as businesses and housing in the area, which is next to Sneinton Market.

Alex Baldwin, Conservation Adviser for the Victorian Society, said : "All designs for the Victoria Baths should include keeping the impressive vaulted roof of the current sports hall.

"The special interest of these baths lies in the collection of structures that make up the building and reflect its history.

"We are delighted that all the options include keeping the historic clock tower, but the wrought iron ribs of the sports hall roof are important too, as is the main pool building."

A second option put forward by the architects includes building a new pool in the existing sports hall and on the site of the original Oval Pool, which was built in 1850.

This would keep the vaulted sports hall roof. But the Victorian Society says it is not acceptable because it involves demolishing the existing pools and the Turkish bath.

In the third option, Mr Baldwin said "only the historic clock tower remains amid an entirely new development, which has scant regard for the historic nature of the site".

He added: "We fully support the first option, as long as assurances can be given that the sports hall will not face demolition."

charles.walker@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk