FURIOUS campaigners fighting to for the return of swimming lakes to Maldon’s Promenade Park have lodged a formal complaint after councillors rejected the scheme.

More than 4,000 people signed a petition calling for public swimming to return to the park.

But at a Maldon District Council meeting, councillors instead voted to throw out the proposals amid concerns over health and safety.

The swimming lakes committee has vowed to fight on and has submitted a formal complaint to director for community services Richard Holmes.

In the letter, the committee said: “670 signatures were not counted due to them not being from within Essex, these should have been considered as those signatures are from former residents of Maldon who used to swim in the lake.

“Also Maldon and the district rely on visitors from outside Essex to bring tourism to our area. If we have no visitors then the town will eventually die.

“We believe we did not receive a fair hearing for the petition and the council should give the petition the consideration it deserves and a working party to consider the opportunities of bringing the lake back to its former glory.”

Campaigners’ plans and vision includes a 1.5 to 1.8 metre deep lake, a sill to allow the lake to refresh at high tide, disabled access, a pipe to empty it at below freezing temperatures, and Edwardian style changing huts. Swimming in the lakes has been banned since 2002 when 45-year-old Kevin Gay died after he hit his head on a submerged post when diving in.

Campaigner Lisa Cullumbine said: “We are striving to keep collecting more signatures and support and appealing against the council’s decision. We have also sent a letter to MP John Whittingdale.”

Mr Holmes said: “The council is in correspondence with the organisers to establish the specific grounds for appeal.

“The council considers the petition was fully and democratically considered.”