I have young children too, and swimming is our favourite sport. Whatever happens we will be swimming weekly in Forest Hill Pools.

I accept the fact that the old pools leak and that repairing them will not be cost effective in the long run. I also have some sympathy with the council in that they do seem committed to providing swimming on the site, which is the main priority.

What I do not accept is that the old facade is bad Victorian architecture. If you ignore the fact that it is tatty (which could easily be remedied) it is a nice example of the Queen Anne revival style. The detailing on the brickwork is attractive and whole has an interesting rhythm and an imposing quality. I think most people who dismiss it do so because it is so familiar and is currently undermaintained.

The cost difference between a complete new build and a new build behind the old facade is only ?200,000 (ont he council's won figures). As a proportion of the budget it is small fry.

The facade should not go: it can easily be worked with. The proposal to demolish Louise House is equally sad. This building is not outstanding in itself, but there is nothing wrong with it and it has some historical and social interest and could easily be incorporated or reused. Its fate is simply to provide a site for an enabling development to fund the pools.

The hope that any new pool will be outstanding is a forlorn one. I do not doubt that a wonderful new pool could not be designed by a leading architect. But we won't get that: look at the new extension at Deptford Wavelengths. It is OK but it is not outstanding by any stretch. The Bridge is an architectural mess.

A decent architect with some conservation experience could retain the old facade and build on both sides (which are about 30% of the width of the plot) and have some fun with new parts providing disabled access and so on. The new build could be taller than the exiting facade. It only needs some imagination and vision and could be an outstanding example of this type of work.

Let's demand the best of the past and the best of the future in one landmark building, not an ahistorical off the peg shed.