Sir – Still no decision about the Temple Cowley Pool but the evidence to support retention of a pool in the Cowley area increases. Houses are being extended, more infilling of green space is planned, so the result is an increased population.

No one can deny the fact that increased leisure facilities are needed because a new ‘free school’ is hoping to arrive in the area, plus increased classroom accommodation at St Christopher’s School yards away from the present pool site.

Added to this is expansion of St Gregory’s, so to meet the demand from schools alone the footfall and need will be increased. While many school planners are happy to provide only mechanical exercise in gymnasia, with smaller areas for outdoor activity, swimming cannot be experienced without a pool, regardless of the amount of land-based teaching of technique or safety in the water.

Plan for the future and retain the best of the present, a swimming pool that already tries to meet the needs of the local population.

On the other hand, if only the political policies could be forgotten by having a unitary authority, expansion at Temple Cowley would be so much simpler by allowing use of a minimal amount of county council land adjacent to the pool for expansion and to meet all the needs of schools, swimming club, parking and retain the leisure facility that already exists. Return the plan for the area to leisure use, not accommodation. You know it makes sense.

David Cook, Oxford