Negotiations over the sale of Arthur Hill swimming pool have fallen through.

Councillor Jason Brock, leader of Reading Borough Council (RBC), announced the breakdown in negotiations at Policy committee on Monday, July 16.

The leader announced what he called ‘a regrettable position’ after Arthur Hill campaigner Peter Burt requested an update.

RBC chose its preferred bidder in July 2018 following the closure of the historic east Reading pool in December 2016.

Dialogue between Reading Borough Council (RBC) and its preferred bidder OOAK Developments LTD has now ‘discontinued’ according to Cllr Brock.

Options are being reviewed and a report will be submitted to a future Policy committee.

The breakdown in negotiations follows the council ‘undertaking due diligence’ including surveys and site investigations.

It also comes after the council was forced to reveal full details of the controversial sale after a lengthy Freedom of Information (FOI) battle.

Councillor Jason Brock, lead of the council, said: “Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to progress things with the preferred purchaser.

“At the present time dialogue with the preferred purchaser has been discontinued.

“The council will continue to consider the re-use of the site for housing, including council housing key worker housing, or other affordable housing provision.

“What we need in this town as much as anything else is good affordable housing provision.”

He added that the council is committed to providing a state of the art pool.