REGARDING Oxford’s Local Planning Policy CS21 for 2016- 2036.

It is not just CS21, before the Second World War, Oxford City had a planning policy for five swimming pools – a large central one, which still does not exist even as a twinkle in the eye of the city council; one in North Oxford, Ferry Pool; Headington, there is Barton open air pool; Hinksey, open air pool; Blackbird Leys new pool.

Oxford City now has only two pools which are open all-the-year round. Oxford City has six secondary schools and 32 primary schools, many of which have doubled in size in the last 10 years.

These are the only pools available to learn to swim in.

It also has a large and growing population of young people attending all kinds of education.

To be closing Temple Cowley Pools with its leisure/sports facilities, at this time is very hard to understand. Temple Cowley Pools are situated next to an arts and crafts library, which up to now has helped make it an attractive centre for Cowley residents.

I need hardly add that Cowley is densely occupied and sadly lacking in leisure facilities.

It would be possible to compromise and build some housing on the site combined with new pools, for which funding from the likes of the Lottery could be found by the Save Temple Cowley Pools supporters.

Yes, the council does need to find a balance between ever more housing and maintaining services such as swimming pools.

ROSANNE BOSTOCK
Chalfont Road, Oxford