Hampstead Heath ponds to permit trans swimmers
The City of London Corporation agreed to review the access arrangements to the three ponds in 2025 following a Supreme Court ruling that "sex" in the 2010 Equality Act referred to biological sex rather than certified sex
Hampstead Heath's ponds will continue to permit trans swimmers but women will be given more privacy.
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The Kenwood Ladies' and Highgate Men's ponds will stay trans-inclusive, after a report's recommendations to keep the existing access arrangements the same were approved in principle by local councillors on Tuesday.
A 1.08 million upgrade package across the ladies', men's and mixed ponds will focus on giving women more privacy, such as improvements to private changing facilities.
The City of London Corporation's Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee met on Tuesday afternoon for an initial decision on the report.
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A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation, which manages the heath, previously said that all the options in the report issued to members “have been informed by our recent public consultation, expert legal advice, equality impact assessments, safeguarding responsibilities, and operational requirements”.
The corporation confirmed this had been the policy since 2017 and that it was consistent with the previous interpretation of the 2010 Equalities Act
It comes after the majority of responses to a consultation favoured maintaining the existing arrangements. The Ladies' pond access arrangements state it is open to biological women and trans women, while the Men's pond welcomes biological men and trans men.
Almost 40,000 people responded to the consultation, just 13% of whom wanted to see a strict single-sex policy enforced, the Standard reported.
The local authority agreed to review the access arrangements to the three ponds in 2025 following a Supreme Court ruling that "sex" in the 2010 Equality Act referred to biological sex rather than certified sex.
Executive Director of the Environment Katie Stewart told Tuesday's meeting that the purpose of the upgrades would be to ensure those wanting to change privately could do so.
She added that while funding and a timeline had not yet been agreed, the Corporation had indicated its support of the proposals and did not foresee aany problems.
Maya Forstater, Sex Matters's chief executive, previously said the plans to retain the existing arrangements were "simply unlawful" and that it is operating "as if Hampstead Heath is an enclave that is outside of the law".
The group is in the middle of a legal case over trans access to the ponds, with a hearing expected in the second half of the year. In April officials in charge of the ponds said the single-sex ponds should be open to trans swimmers.
A final decision will be reached by the Policy and Resources Committee on June 4.