VICTORIAN swimming baths look set to be demolished and replaced with modern ones.

Forest Hill Pools, in Dartmouth Road, believed to have been the oldest working swimming baths in London, closed in 2006 after the roof was found to be unsafe.

Lewisham Mayor Sir Steve Bullock made an "in principle decision" supporting the refurbishment of the pools, rather than knocking down the historic building.

But a study has found the extent of the problems are bigger than first thought.

Experts discovered severe cracks in the pool tanks which are leaking water at an "alarming rate" into the clay foundations, as well as gaping holes underneath the pools.

They say there is a high risk attempts to refurbish the pools may not work, and warned the cost of the project would be likely to spiral.

One even said it was not possible.

Sir Steve is set to announce his decision to demolish the building and build new swimming pools at a Mayor and Cabinet Meeting on Wednesday (Feb13).

He says the extent of the damage had come as a surprise.

Sir Steve said: "It came as a bit of a blow just how bad it was.

"We could spend so much money on it and then discover at the end of 18 months the pools are beyond repair.

"I'm being advised there's a strong likelihood this might happen."

He added: "I'm worried about spending money which is simply wasted. I just can't do that."

News Shopper previously reported how residents were disappointed with a consultation in 2005 which offered just two options: either refurbish the existing facility and retain two pools or build a new single-pool facility from scratch.

Forest Hill councillor Alex Feakes accused the Mayor of wasting money by not offering the option of two new pools in the first place.

He said: "It's a scandal two years have been wasted pursuing a flawed refurbishment idea, even if it may have been the least worst of the two alternatives.

"The money has been wasted. If the proper range of options were available then residents would have united behind having two new pools."

Forest Hill councillors have joined with local groups to propose a hybrid option, where architectually important elements from the building are retained in any new building.

Steve Grindlay of the Sydenham Society, who gives talks about the area's history, said: "I think people are supporting keeping the facade and building behind it."

He says there is equipment in the basement which has been there since the pools opened, including an old boiler and a spin dryer.

Mr Grindlay said: "It seems a pity if the building is demolished this stuff will go."

It is estimated building a new facility will cost around £9.5m.

Further work would be needed to calculate the cost of refurbishing the existing pools, built in the 1880s.

But experts say the risk of the cost escalating was "high".

Louise House, also on the site, is likely to be demolished and houses built to generate £2m to cover some of the costs of the new pools.

The council has already set aside £5.6m.

Sir Steve says the next step is to consult residents about what they want the new facility to be like, and what other community facilities it should include.

It could be open by mid-2010.

Around 10 years ago, the Save Forest Hill Pools Campaign successfully fought off attempts to close it.