Sir – Once again it looks as if the survival of Temple Cowley Pool is in doubt. Oxford City Council is asking for bids on a subject-to-planning basis for next Tuesday.

The Save Temple Cowley Pool group are putting forward a plan that would include a developer putting at least 30 flats on the site for both social housing and private dwellings, but keeping Temple Cowley Pool, which is 25 metres long and eight lanes wide, has a learner pool and the only diving pool in Oxfordshire, admittedly in need of about £60,000 spent on it now.

This would also keep the gym open, which brings in money. It would also be possible to include a restaurant and a community centre, as the local one in Barns Road has been closed.

Next door is the Art Deco library. All in all this makes for a leisure, sports, health, recreation facility which Cowley otherwise does not have. Within walking distance are three primary schools and two secondary schools. It is in the centre of a transport hub, so it is easy to reach for Cowley residents with a single bus ride. Twelve thousand people have signed a petition to keep it open. It is small wonder that few of us believe in democracy in this country any more. Cowley is already densely populated, with few parks and open green spaces. The city council plans to build 40 plus flats on the site — increasing the density of housing and taking away the swimming pools. This will not be compensated by opening a similar-sized pool in Blackbird Leys to replace the present smaller one.

Much of Oxford’s 160,000 population and growing, are young. If they are going to grow up healthy and not a burden on the NHS, joined-up political thinking says Oxford needs to keep Temple Cowley Pool going.

Rosanne Bostock, Oxford