I am appalled and amazed at what little consultation the council is allowing in connection with the future of Temple Cowley Pool.

Moreover, it seems that to refurbish the pools would cost about the same as moving them to Blackbird Leys, the gym to Barton and closing the sauna altogether.

So why not keep things as they are, which suits nearly everyone?

There was a public consultation meeting, lasting one hour (including two presentations from council officers), held at 5.30pm – which, for many people, made it impossible to attend.

And, worst of all, there was only 10 days’ notice – a period which included a bank holiday and half-term. (The Blackbird Leys meeting was given an extra two days’ notice.) Just how ready is the council to hear the views of residents and users?

And just how ready is it to actually take them into account?

There are no other specific consultations of users and residents planned, as the online consultation is all about citywide facilities.

We are told that moving swimming to Blackbird Leys (1.6 miles), the gym to Barton (3.5 miles) and not replacing the sauna at all, complies with Policy SR1 of the Local Plan 2001-16 (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).

But how can moving a facility out of one community and into two others (from within the ring road to two sites outside it) be considered “equally accessible”?

It is probably no coincidence that the council wants to build 40 homes on the site of the Temple Cowley Pool.

Charlotte Barrow

Cowley

Oxford