Southwark Council has announced plans for a wild swimming pond at a grade II listed gasholder in south London.
The proposed park, named after gasworks founder George Livesey, will be located around Gasholder No. 13 and is part of broader redevelopment projects along the Old Kent Road.
If approved, the swimming pond would take up half of the site, with the other half featuring a pond surrounded by reed beds to facilitate natural water filtration.
Documents from the council describe the facility as “a distinctive health amenity, unmatched in London, the UK, or Europe.”
The details of the plan were presented during a Southwark Council committee meeting earlier this month.
During the meeting, a council representative indicated that most of the land from the former gasworks is owned by the council, while SGN Networks owns the gasholder.
“We’re looking to transform that space into an outdoor wild swimming area. It would involve cold water swimming,” the representative explained.
“The concept includes natural filtration through reed beds, promoting biodiversity.”
He emphasized that this initiative would be unprecedented, stating, “Nowhere else has a historic gasholder featuring a swimming pool.”
He acknowledged that the proposal is still in the initial stages, with the council currently evaluating the business case and associated costs.
Part of the funding for this “local landmark” may come from the development of 800 homes on SGN-owned land adjacent to the gasholder, as noted by the councillors.
Gasholder No. 13, constructed between 1879 and 1881 by engineer George Livesey, was designated as a grade II building by Historic England in 2017.
The council representative highlighted that the plans align well with George Livesey’s legacy, noting that he was a prominent Victorian philanthropist involved in establishing a nearby library and supporting local allotments and sports facilities at the gasworks.
Helen Dennis, the council’s cabinet member for new homes and sustainability, stated, “We are committed to ensuring that the regeneration of Old Kent Road fosters a greener and healthier community, resulting in new and enhanced parks and facilities for residents.”
She expressed enthusiasm, declaring that the proposal “would completely transform the area with its innovative and distinctive offering,” while also commending the developers’ potential role in bringing it to fruition.
