THE Coate Water diving board could be in line for a long overdue clean-up thanks to new funding.

Swindon Borough Council cabinet member for culture and heritage Dale Heenan wants to use money given by housing developers as part of their planning permission to on the town’s country parks.

The Section 106 money could be spent at Coate Water, Lydiard Park, Stanton park, Mouldon Hill and Barbury.

And Coun Heenan says the first job will be giving the concrete diving board in Coate Water a facelift

The board was closed more than 40 years ago but is still one of Swindon’s most recognisable landmarks.

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William Miles: “Waste of money yet again. Just give it a lick of paint.”

Andrew Muirhead: “Let’s hope they clean up the water also so as people could swim. That would be something to aim for.”

Nathan Shilton: “Such an iconic piece. Would be lovely to see it looking fresh.”

Richard Mclane: “I’m sorry to sound negative but unless they clean the lake and make it fit for swimming, they should demolish the diving board.

“The ‘fresher’ it looks the more people will be tempted to enter the water and come out with all sorts of illnesses, or worse injure themselves on whatever is under the water.”

Paul Fallows: “It won’t happen.”

Diogo Costa: “Should get it refurbished or demolished. The way it is at the moment looks like a Chernobyl scene.”

Jenna Palmer: “It won’t be demolished as its a Grade II listed structure.

“Can’t do anything to it apart from paint it and clean it.”

Tony Wilson: “Another waste of money.

“Restore the lake, park and diving board to its former glory so that people can actually use it.”

Leon Whyburd: “People actually swim in that?”

Michael Cartwright: “I could understand a facelift if it was in use but it’s only used by the birds these days.

“Maybe they should finish jobs off elsewhere. You know, finish one job before the next otherwise it’s a town full of half-completed projects and no money.”

Samantha Niemirski: “Needs painting and some spotlights on at night.”

Arron Smith: “More bins please around lake, every 100 meters. And a noticeboard.

“Summer time walking around you see a lot rubbish in bushes. It looks very bad.

“Make a deal with the kiosk, collect a bag of rubbish and get a free ice cream.”

Martin Costello: “The first job they need to spend the money on is on a decent path around the lake. A bit of rain and parts become horrendously boggy.”

Jamie Guy: “Amazing, just what the pigeons needed.”

Alicia Pullen: “They need lights around the paths at Coate Water.

“I went there at 5pm last week, was pitch black, walked 10 minutes and had to turn back – crazy there are no lights.”

Richard Rowe: “Attach three large pipes to it and call it the new Oasis.”

Jan Gough: “Surely the money could be used on something more useful.”

Alec Aubrey: “It has survived for so many years at Coate.”

Jean Skerten: “That’s good. It has a lot of history and deserved.”

Sheila Anderson: “We should preserve our heritage.”

Terry Bohane: “The lake needs restocking and weeds taking out.”

Alastair Kirk: “A new play park and some rowing boats in the summer would be lovely.”

Richard Sharkey: “Surprise they haven’t filled in the lake and built even more houses over it.”

Dave Woods: “Fantastic news. Section 106 money (not taxes) being used to improve our country parks which are a real asset to Swindon and ensuring the Grade II listed structure is preserved for future generations.”