Locally-based KLH Architects have been appointed to develop a scheme to upgrade and restore Broomhill Pool in Ipswich.

The partnership has been appointed by project leaders Fusion Lifestyle and proposals for the pool are currently being drawn up – they should be shown off at a special open weekend at the pool in September.

The designs are being drawn up by Alan Wilkinson of KLH, who has been involved with the Broomhill Pool campaign for the last 15 years.

He has known the pool for most of his life, and said he was delighted to be involved in drawing up the plans for its rebirth which is due in about two years’ time.

Fusion is currently awaiting the result of a full application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £3.3m to complete the restoration of the lido that first opened in 1938.

It was last open for swimming in 2002, and since then there has been a long campaign to get it back in use. London-basesd Fusion were chosen by the site owners, Ipswich council, to develop the scheme. The borough has put £1m into the restoration project.

When restored the pool will be operated by Fusion Lifestyle as part of a leisure complex including fitness suites and a community cafe that will be open all year round.

Tim Mills, Director of Business Development of Fusion Lifestyle, said: “We are very confident that we will be able to work with KLH Architects to deliver an exciting redevelopment scheme for the Pool which sensitively restores the existing listed elements and celebrates the historic role of the site in the local community.

“Our first task will be to prepare a high quality and compelling design proposal which will form the basis of our second round application to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Heritage Enterprise funding scheme.

“The Pool is an iconic building with beautiful design details that deserves to be restored to its former glory as one of the town’s landmarks.”

The designs will be shown off over the Heritage Open Days Weekend when the pool will be open to the public – but not for swimming – on September 10/11.