Redbridge Council has begun a public consultation exercise on plans to build a new lido in Valentines Park. The £4m project is subject to planning approval and local people are being invited to share their views as part of the process. The plan is for the new lido to be built close to the original facility, which operated between 1923 and 1995, and to utilise the latest technology to ensure it is sustainable and cost efficient to run. Councillor Kam Rai, deputy leader of Redbridge Council and cabinet member for finance and regeneration, said: “Our borough is a great place to live, work, and visit, and we’re continuing to invest in leisure facilities so local families and visitors can access everything they need right on our doorstep. “The new lido will provide a sustainable, fun, and social place for people to exercise in the great outdoors, while boosting our local economy and restoring the heritage of Valentines Park.” The new lido will include a 25m, six-lane swimming pool; children’s splash pad; changing facilities; a café; gym; meeting room; outdoor recreation/picnic area; and a car park. If approved, it is anticipated that the pool will open next summer. It is one of three proposed new lidos planned for the capital to reflect the surge in popularity for outdoor swimming in recent years. The other two are proposed in Leyton and Stoke Newington.