|
|
|
Nudists lose bid for bigger sunbathing area on Heath
A CHEEKY bid to increase the size of the nude sun-bathing area on Hampstead Heath has been rebuffed - amid complaints from naturists that they are being treated like lepers.
More than 1,000 people - including Julian Clary and Peter Tatchell - signed a petition calling for an expansion of the concrete enclosure reserved for naked sun worshippers at Highgate Men's Pond, off Millfield Lane.
But a report by the City of London Corporation, which manages the Heath, has dashed their hopes.
Michael Peacock, 50, who organised the petition, said: "This is a complete whitewash. The only group who weren't consulted were the naturists. All we've got is a 13 metre by eight metre lump of concrete surrounded by sheets of metal. It's akin to being in a microwave on a hot day, but they've not conceded one square inch.
"They're basically saying we have to put up or shut up. I feel like we're being treated like lepers."
Mr Peacock is urging campaigners to attend a meeting at the City of London Guildhall on Monday when a final decision will be made by the Corpor-ation's management committee.
"Germany has nudist areas in most major parks," he said. "Prague has a population of 1.2 million people and seven facilities for naturists. Yet London has six million people and all we've got is this tiny strip of concrete.
"For 100 years people sunbathed naked by the Men's Pond without any problem until the 'Berlin Wall' was put up in 1994 to segregate us. Now a complete separation by the addition of a door is even being considered."
A City of London spokesman said: "Following wide consultation with swimming groups, it has been recommended that the proposal - to approximately double the area available for nude sunbathing - should not be agreed.
"The primary purpose of the Men's Bathing Pond is to provide swimming facilities."
Robert Sutherland Smith, chairman of the United Swimmers Association of Hampstead Heath, said: "I don't think anybody is campaigning to get rid of nude sunbathing. We accept it is part of life's rich tapestry, but Mr Peacock wanted 75 per cent of the changing area for his small group.
"The ponds are for swimmers. The City of London has based its decision on the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number, and we believe that is fair.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|