Camden New Journal - Letters: Gripes and moans

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Camden New Journal - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 23 August 2007

Gripes and moans

• SEVERAL people have expressed concern in this paper about the prospect of unisex changing facilities at the refurbished Kentish Town baths.
The proposed scheme includes group changing facilities for schools and families as well as a large number of private single cubicles and separate men’s and women’s showers.
It is misleading to suggest that these plans would have men and women changing in front of each other. However, there are clearly genuine concerns among swimmers about walking from the cubicles to the showers through a shared space.
Thankfully, the new council is pursuing Kentish Town baths in an open and democratic way involving the community at all stages.
So far, we have already had two public meetings, three meetings of the user group and a planning forum. During this time residents’ views have led to the plans being changed and adapted. For example, the upstairs studio space is now much larger as a result. The current plans are still at planning consultation stage so there is still plenty of scope for adapting further to suit users’ preferences. What is important is that this scheme is informed by the needs of residents, swimmers and gym users, and that that will remain the guiding principle. Every step of the way Labour’s Town Hall bosses have griped and moaned about the baths scheme – a scheme that has been recognised at a national level for its vision.
Meanwhile, residents and councillors continue to work actively to get the leisure centre that our area deserves.
CLLR PHILIP THOMPSON
Kentish Town ward

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@camdennewjournal.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Tuesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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