Sir – In Chris Buratta’s article (August 19), Ian Smith of the City of Oxford Swimming Club says “The Blackbird Leys option meets the requirements. It is necessary for us”.

When planning permission was given for the University pool in Iffley Road, I understand that it was on condition that it would be a suitable venue for galas, and a venue which COSC would be entitled to use; apparently the problem is lack of seating.

Why should the community of East/South Oxford lose its community pool to a pool that few people (apart from from COSC) seem to want and when there is another pool in the city which was specifically built to provide for COSC’s galas?

Temple Cowley is a community pool which yes, is used by the swimming club — but it’s that way round: it is not the swimming club’s pool which the public are generously allowed to use on occasion.

Surely the answer for COSH lies in providing adequate seating at Iffley Road, so that the community aspect of swimming can be the sole focus for the future of both Temple Cowley and Blackbird Leys?

Charlotte Barrow, Temple Cowley