MAX WROTE: "Because the petition wants to retain only the frontage and demolish the pools anyway and as this is a departure from the Council's plan it means delays in reproviding a working pool and as it compromises the financing scheme it means huge delays, even forever.

If Jenny Jones AM really wanted people to be able to swim within a short period she would have been best advised of not signing. "

The petition (I think you mean the campaign) didn't 'want to demolish the pools'. It has been clear all along that the people behind the save the face of forest hill believe there is space behind the pools to build a comprehensive pools facility, save the facades AND retain the pools. Experts agree. The save the face of Forest Hills campaign has never said it didn't want any pools. I think in that regard you are being a tad unfair and missleading Max.

To clarify the position:

Clearly on the poolingtogether.blogspot.com site it states:

Our current position is as follows:

The SFFH Campaign Group:

1) Welcomes and applauds the Council?s ongoing commitment to provide swimming pools on the Dartmouth Road site as soon as possible and
2) Continues to support the retention of the pools frontage block as part of any new designs and
3) Seeks to work constructively with the Council in achieving designs for a new pools complex which retain this cherished, attractive and historic structure.

In practice, the working constructively will consist of two things: getting the ear of the Council and putting together an informal group of people with ideas, experience and expertise to make coherent suggestions about how a new design including the pools frontage block can be worked up. Our current position is as follows:

One more point, flats in period buildings and worth more and are more desirable than modern flats. Modern flats down kirkdale in new buildings were't selling when there was a housing boom. Look at Forest Hill Central now. Imagine losing the pools buildings, having unsold flats and no new pools buildings.

AS you said yourself, it's very difficult coming up with a few million quid.

On the subject of pools buildings, Kentish Town pools are being refurbished. The marshal street pools you refer to are apparently re-opening next year, 2009 after development with housing (52 to be exact). I used to swim with my mate in there when I worked around the coroner in the early 90's. They were stunning inside, really beautiful. You can read about it here:

http://www.marshallstreet-w1.co.uk/publi...august.asp