Peace deal for Hampstead bathers

Campaigners fighting to save Hampstead Heath's bathing ponds are likely to win a partial victory.

The Evening Standard can reveal that a compromise deal is being drafted by the Corporation of London, which was threatening to close the ponds to reduce the £6.2 million a year it spends maintaining the heath.

The deal would see "pay and display" meters at the three natural ponds, which swimmers would be asked to treat like an "honesty box" when they take a dip.

In return, the Corporation would guarantee to plough all proceeds from the meters into maintaining the mixed, ladies' and men's ponds, which have been used since 1745 by enthusiasts. A row broke out when the Corporation, the local authority for the City of London, said it needed to make financial cutbacks for the heath. It suggested closing one or more of the ponds or imposing charges.

Now senior Corporation sources have said the future of the pools will be safeguarded, but charges for swimmers will be introduced to help subsidise the life-guards.

However, the charges will not be enforced in the winter months when attendance drops to a hardcore of several dozen. And to preserve the area's wild aspects, there will be a guarantee not to surround the pools with extra fencing.

A final decision will be taken by the Corporation's Hampstead Heath management committee next month. However, the need to trim the budget is said to be "non-negotiable". The Corporation is also unwilling to take on the Health and Safety Executive, the watchdog which requires the presence of the life-guards.

This week more than 250 protesters attended a meeting at Hampstead Town Hall to demand the pools be safeguarded. The Corporation was taken aback by the level of protest and alarmed at abusive messages sent to Catherine McGuinness, who chairs the heath management committee.