Work could finally begin later this year on a major revamp of a popular swimming pool which has been dubbed South West London's 'best-kept secret'.

The planned refurbishment and extension of the building at Hampton Pool in Bushy Park aims to improve facilities and protect its future 'for generations to come'.

Hampton Pool Trust told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it is planning to begin the first phase of the works in September this year to avoid disruption during summer. The pool is set to remain open during the works.

The trust already has reserves of £2.5m to put towards the expected cost of the first phase, which is £5.2m, and it is fundraising to reach the total. It has grant applications in progress which it hopes will fund all improvements included at this stage and it is raising donations on JustGiving. The anticipated cost of the overall project stands at £8.6m, with the trust aiming to win grants and further funding for future phases.

The trust has held licences for the site from The Royal Parks since 1985 after saving it from closure, with the existing licence due to expire in 2026. The licence is subject to an agreement from the council to reinstate the land back to its previous condition if the trust fails to meet its obligations.

Council officers have recommended the agreement be extended for a new proposed 20-year licence between the trust and The Royal Parks for the pool, which is required for the revamp to begin. The council's environment committee will decide whether to approve the extended agreement on 16 January.

The main outdoor pool on the site is 36 metres long and first opened in 1922, while there is also a smaller learners' pool and car park. Both pools are heated. The building has changing facilities, toilets, a gym, fitness studio and rooftop café.

Visualisation of the plans for Hampton Pool in Bushy Park as submitted in 2016. (Photo: Wimshurst Pelleriti/Hampton Pool Trust)

The revamp was first put forward by the trust in 2016, before winning final planning permission in 2022. It involves refurbishing and extending the building, adding a new roof to extend the café and formalising the car park to provide 48 marked bays with room for two motorbikes. It also includes 82 cycle parking spaces.

Documents submitted with the application in 2016 described the pool as South West London's 'best-kept secret'. The trust told the LDRS the pool continues to operate 'robustly due to its special character and strong

community base' but that the dated 1960s building 'requires urgent intervention to halt the physical deterioration and to ensure the survival of this much-loved facility'.

The first phase of the works involves building the new roof over part of the existing upper terrace to increase the size of the café and provide new community space.

It also includes a new lift to the upstairs space, a new entrance, improved reception, upgraded changing facilities and a larger fitness studio to meet increased demand for classes.

Jane Savidge, chair of Hampton Pool Trust, said: "We are delighted that Richmond Council continues to support Hampton Pool and will be considering the guarantee needed to secure its future. If approved this will allow us to commence our building project to develop Hampton Pool for future generations of local people, ensuring that the quality of our building meets 21st-century expectations."

The Royal Parks has been contacted for comment. You can find the JustGiving page fundraising for the planned works at Hampton Pool here.