Swimmers gathered ahead of a public meeting last Thursday (7th August) to protest against plans to close Monmouth's public pool for 12 months. The pool is set to be demolished to make way for the town's new comprehensive school, with a new 25-metre facility being built to the side of Monmouth Leisure Centre. But user groups are unhappy that they will be without a pool and have questioned Monmouthshire County Council's (MCC) consultation process. The council says it has identified the necessary funding for the pool and will confirm the details in September. But protesters aren't convinced and are calling for the 21st Century Schools project team to delay the school application, due to be discussed by MCC's planning committee next month, and submit it alongside completed plans for the new pool. Barbara Wright of Monmouth Swimmers said: "If the council have identified the funding for the pool, we do not understand why the submission of the planning application for the school cannot be delayed to include the swimming pool. "How can MCC cite penalty clauses from a contractor when the application has yet to be approved? "How can there be a contract in place already, with penalty clauses built-in, if planning permission has not yet been granted? "We believe that the 'consultation' process has been seriously flawed and ignored the needs of residents and users of the pool. In our opinion the plans have been hashed together too quickly and fast-tracked during the summer holidays." As well as an online petition, there are hard copies available in Handyman House in Monnow Street and Munday & Jones in Church Street. Contact the Monmouth Swimmers through their website http://www.monmouthswimmers.com">www.monmouthswimmers.com, or Facebook page to help with the campaign or receive updates. The council's head of leisure, tourism and heritage Ian Saunders said: "Option 2 has been agreed by the council which is to build the new school facilities on the existing swimming pool site. "Monmouthshire's leisure service is working closely with our 21st Century Schools team, stakeholders and user groups to consider the new pool design and a drop-in session with the community on 7th August attended by approximately 70 people in the old school gym (situated directly behind the leisure centre) gave us some good feedback and ideas. "A feasibility study will also inform decisions on opportunities for new modern facilities which are currently being reviewed. "We are also considering how best to provide services for school swimming lessons and priority user groups during the period of disruption and discussing this with other pool facilities in the surrounding areas."