Last minute attempt to halt £60m aquatic centre in Sandwell

Protesters will lobby a meeting in an effort to halt the project as part of the Commonwealth GamesOpponents of plans to build a £60 million aquatic centre for the 2022 Commonwealth Games are preparing to make a last ditch attempt to overturn the proposals.Members of Save Londonderry Lane Playing Fields group are to lobby a meeting of Sandwell’s full council in an effort to halt the project.Campaigners say the project for a 50-metre Olympic-sized competition swimming pool, a diving pool plus two gyms and an eight-court sports hall, should be built on a brownfield site and not on green space in Smethwick.The protest is their last chance to stop the proposal after if received planning permission two weeks ago.Campaigners have said the plans will lead to the loss of valuable green space, cause traffic congestion and vehicle emissions will add to air pollution in the area.Keith Price, from the Save Londonderry Lane Playing Fields group, told planning councillors in March that residents had not been consulted on reduction of the playing fields area.And he attacked the council for failing to do an air quality assessment, saying “Air quality around there is pretty awful, particularly at certain times of the day.The plans need the final approval of the full council and campaigners hope they can persuade them to reject the scheme.The full council will meet on April 9.