The bathing ponds on Hampstead Heath are set to remain open to people according to the gender they identify with, after councillors endorsed recommendations to maintain the existing arrangements. The decision follows a high-profile review prompted by a Supreme Court judgment in 2026 that clarified the meaning of biological sex under equality law. A public consultation that collected more than 38,000 responses showed overwhelming support for preserving the current access rules, with only around 13% of respondents asking for a return to strictly single-sex spaces.
City of London Corporation members on the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee agreed in principle to continue letting people use the Ladies’ and Men’s ponds in line with their gender identity—a practice the corporation says has been in place since at least 2017 and aligned with earlier interpretations of the Equality Act 2010. Although the committee’s vote keeps the current approach, a final decision is scheduled for 4 June, and the policy remains the subject of legal scrutiny from campaigners who argue the arrangements conflict with the updated legal reading.
Public consultation and community response
The consultation drew an unusually large volume of replies—more than 38,000—which officials say demonstrated strong public backing for continuing inclusive access. Supporters of the current policy emphasised that the ponds have long been used by trans and cis women together, and many respondents described the existing arrangements as a valued part of local life. Skeptics, including the charity Sex Matters, questioned elements of the consultation and called the scale of responses “extraordinary”. The charity has signalled it will challenge the Corporation’s policy in court, saying the approach is incompatible with the legal shift introduced by the 2026 ruling.
Legal context and pending challenges
The 2026 Supreme Court decision narrowed the interpretation of the term sex in equalities legislation to refer to biological sex rather than any form of legal certification. That judgment prompted many organisations to revisit access rules across services and spaces. The City of London Corporation maintains that its historic practice was consistent with previous readings of the law, but groups opposed to the current policy have lodged legal action and a hearing is expected in the second half of the year. Campaigners such as Maya Forstater have publicly described the Corporation’s proposed continued approach as unlawful, setting the stage for a contested legal process.
Planned investments to improve facilities
Alongside the access decision, councillors approved recommendations for a programme of physical improvements to the three bathing ponds. Officers proposed upgrades to changing rooms, showers and toilets, with a potential budget of up to £1 million. The Corporation’s executive director of environment, Katie Stewart, explained that works at the Ladies’ Pond would aim to provide enhanced options for those who wish to change privately, improving privacy and accessibility while retaining inclusive access. Final funding allocations and timetables are expected to be considered by members in July.
Voices from advocacy groups
Supporters of the decision welcomed the committee’s stance but warned it will not end the wider dispute. Alexandra Parmar-Yee, director of the Trans+ Solidarity Alliance, described the proposal as a positive outcome for pond users while criticising the prospect of public bodies having to use resources to defend inclusive policies against well-funded legal challenges. She urged clearer guidance from the Labour government to give service providers firmer protection when maintaining inclusive arrangements. On the other side, groups pursuing the legal route argue that the Corporation must align with the post-2026 legal framework.
What happens next
With the committee having approved recommendations in principle, attention now turns to the formal decision due on 4 June and the separate legal proceedings that could affect how the policy is implemented. If members confirm the recommendations, the Corporation would proceed with detailed planning for the facility upgrades and secure funding. At the same time, ongoing litigation means the long-term status of the access arrangements could still change depending on court outcomes and any future statutory clarification of the Equality Act 2010 interpretations. The situation remains under close watch by local users, advocacy organisations and legal observers.