Hampstead Heath's bathing ponds will remain trans-inclusive, with improvements to enhance privacy for women, committee members have declared. Councillors on the City of London Corporation's Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee have backed in principle the current access arrangements, alongside plans for a broader programme of works. A final ruling is expected from the Policy and Resources Committee on 4 June.
The Corporation confirmed that the policy, in place since at least 2017, was in keeping with the previous interpretation of the Equality Act 2010. Following the Supreme Court ruling in 2024 that 'sex' under equalities law refers to biological sex, members agreed to review the policy. A consultation last year, with over 38,000 responses, showed overwhelming support for maintaining the current arrangements, with only 13 per cent favouring strictly single-sex spaces.
Some doubts have been raised over the results, including by Sex Matters, which described the response as 'extraordinary'. The charity is engaged in a legal challenge against the policy, with a hearing expected in the second half of the year. Corporation officers recommended keeping the ponds trans-inclusive, noting no substantiated incidents since at least 2017 and that 'it is difficult to see how a policy of strict segregation on the basis of biological sex could be justified'.
Officers also proposed upgrades to changing, showering and toilet facilities at a cost of up to £1.08 million. Common Councillor Jason Groves urged consideration of broader issues such as lockers. Common Councillor William Upton KC questioned whether the recommended amendment allowing trans men to access the Men's Pond and trans women the Ladies' could be agreed at this stage.
Trans+ Solidarity Alliance director Alexandra Parmar-Yee called the decision 'great news' but noted the government should ensure a coherent legal framework to protect inclusive spaces. 'It's ridiculous that they are going to inevitably have to spend public money defending their inclusive choice against well-funded lawfare,' she said.
