An open-air swimming pool will stay place on its current site rather than being relocated after thousands of people had their say on its future.

A total of 3,129 people shared their thoughts on the future of Finchley Lido Leisure Centre, which has been operating in High Road, North Finchley, for 28 years.

Barnet Council held a consultation between December 13 last year and February 6 over whether the lido should be relocated to North Finchley Town Centre to create a “modern and more sustainable” facility at the heart of the town.

But Barnet Council has announced that respondents favoured keeping it at the Great North Leisure Park.

Developer Regal London has acquired the lease of the site from previous owners LandSec Plc and will work with the council regarding future plans for the site.

The council says the existing Finchley Lido Leisure Centre will continue to operate until the new facility is completed.

Cllr Ross Houston , the Barnet Council housing and growth committee chair, said: “We’ve engaged thoroughly with the community and listened to what residents had to say and I’m delighted that the decision has been made to keep the Finchley Lido Leisure Centre where it is.

“We will work closely with residents and Regal London as we take the next steps to deliver a new leisure centre for the site."

Cllr Houston said that the existing lido is “near its end of life” and “not fit for purpose long-term”.

He said the building needs replacing with a more modern and sustainable structure.

He added:“As well as being a place to stay healthy and have fun, the new leisure centre will be environmentally sustainable and contribute to our borough-wide net zero carbon targets.

“We know residents have concerns about other leisure elements of the site, and we will be looking at the proposals that come forward from Regal very carefully.”