Residents were furious last week when Croydon Council told them the public consultation for the refurbishment of South Norwood Swimming Pool would be limited to landscaping and colour schemes.

At a special neighbourhood partnership meeting last Tuesday artists impressions of how the pool will look after a £4million refurbishment were unveiled.

Architect Paul Moisan outlined his plans for a new pool filtration system, new plant borders and a new entrance.

Despite his best efforts to highlight the positives, scathing residents said they amounted to little.

Liz Ismail, from the People for Portland Road (PPR) group, said after realising its campaign for a new pool was doomed residents wanted to be properly consulted about the council's money-saving refurbishment.

She said: "Having seen how far through the plans are now, I can't see what scope there is for us to have any input."

Ken Baker, also from the group, added: "Colour and sculpture - these issues are not consultation. Consultation takes time. If it is about colour and sculpture then really this is a waste of time."

South Norwood Pool closed in December 2005 and plans to rebuild it were secured in May. However, despite a reported half a million pound cost to get out of the contract, the new Tory administration chose to reverse the plans and refurbish the pool instead in a bid to save taxpayers £6million.

Since May residents and community groups have been fighting for this decision to be reversed and a 3,000 signature petition was presented to the town hall.

But the project - led by Leadbitter Construction Ltd - is underway and once an eight week preparation is complete in December, major works will begin.

This has angered residents who said there was no longer scope for consultation.

Tim Brechin, chair of Save South Norwood Sports Project, said: "The council is trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

"What hope is there in us thinking we can ever get any decent consultation on this project when we've been asking since May?"

Council officers defended the consultation process saying there is a limit on what they can consult on, inviting those with "sensible ideas" to bring them forward.

One resident, Valerie Phillips, backed the plans: "I'm really pleased that we're not having a new building and that it's going to be open sooner."

Cabinet member for culture and sport, Councillor Steve Hollands, added: "Council taxpayers are paying for this so we have to be careful in just how much we're spending.

"I would say colour is very important to people who live in the area and importantly there is spare space under the building and we will be consulting with the community on what we're going to do there."