THANK you for printing my recent letter about Temple Cowley pools.
I write now in response to Bob Timbs’ comments on the proposed closure of the pool (Swimmers seek pool’s reprieve, Oxford Mail, February 5).
His comments are horrifying! What has happened to local democracy?
He says he has a job to do, yet his job is to represent the people of the city and his ward – whatever the eventual decision.
But why has there been absolutely no consultation?
There was not even the courtesy of informing the Temple Cowley Users’ Group of crucial council meetings, never mind consulting residents of either Cowley or Blackbird Leys as to what they want.
There are funds to build a new pool, and there is a Local Plan which says specifically that “Planning permission will not be granted for development that involves the loss of existing indoor sports facilities, except where provision is made for an equivalent or improved replacement of the existing facilities on site, or in another equally accessible and suitable location”.
The current facilities include a gym and sauna, and gym users will now have to go to Barton, which is not equally accessible or suitable for current users.
Blackbird Leys will also be turned upside down, in this case by the provision of a much larger pool than it currently has.
It will get a lot more cars coming and, on gala weekends, coaches too.
Why not stick to the Local Plan?
Why not maintain the status quo in terms of provision of facilities, and spend the funds on doing so?
CHARLOTTE BARLOW, St Christopher’s Place, Cowley, Oxford
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