Council-owned free outdoor water play facilities in Basingstoke and Deane will remain closed despite a change in government guidance.

From last July 11, owners of outdoor pools and water play can re-open their facilities if they choose to as long as government guidance can be met. The guidance focuses on regular cleaning, restricting the number of people using the pools or water play areas and having a record of who has used the facility.

Basingstoke Council owns the paddling pool at Eastrop and the splash pad at Chineham Park in Popley. Both facilities are free to use during the summer months and are not staffed.

The council is concerned it cannot currently meet the guidance and ensure the safety of those people using the two areas. Both facilities will remain closed to the public and the council will continue to monitor the guidance from government.

Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and the Natural Environment Cllr Mark Ruffell said: “Unfortunately, the guidance around the reopening of outdoor pools and water play requires strict supervision of the limited number of people permitted to use them at any one time and their names and addresses to be provided. These facilities are designed to be free to use and are unstaffed. Like other local authorities we do not have the numbers of staff to make the facilities compliant with the current temporary guidance. Sadly, they will have to remain closed for the moment.

“Where we can accommodate our residents to use our facilities safely we have done so and I’m delighted all of our 150 play areas and beautiful parks are open and free to use by families in accordance with social distancing advice. We have to consider each government announcement individually and where we feel we cannot safely implement a change we won’t, but will continue to monitor the changing picture.”