The new look at the Highgate Men’s Pond

SWIMMERS heading for a bracing dip at the Highgate Men’s Pond say they have been met by what they call a “rather unfriendly” new fence.

The new, eight-foot high wire security measure was described as something that might surround “an institutional facility” by swimmers, who say it was put up without warning a week ago.

Swimmer Dan Tern told the New Journal: “We are left scratching our heads on this one. This is wholly out of keeping. It is completely unnecessary, and it looks like the perimeter of a prison grounds.”

The City have been under fire for years for attempting to impose charges to the traditionally free swimming ponds. In 2005, they lost a case in the High Court when swimmers argued charging went against the 1862 Heath Act, which said none of the common land must be enclosed. In 2020, the City won a new legal case that allowed them to impose compulsory swim charges.

The Highgate Men’s Pond Association committee said it was collectively were in a state of “shock and disappointment”.

Chairman Michael Smith said: “One swimmer pointed out this type of very aggressive and institutional fencing is in direct opposition to the City’s own guidelines it so proudly tells all of us it is abiding by.

“Their own management plan states the Heath is a ‘treasured and ancient landscape’ and ‘carefully managed to conserve its unique mix of wild and natural spaces’. I cannot think of another place on the Heath where ‘security wire fencing’ and a big welded metal gate would be acceptable as a ‘sympathetic material’. Then, of course, there is the absurdity of how short it is, surrounded by a kilometre or more of three or four foot fencing.”

Mr Smith wrote to the City to complain and his letter said: “It is so horrifically ugly and in complete contrast to the commendable standard of work that the City has usually undertaken which helps to keep Hampstead Heath a place of beauty and tranquillity.

“This fence is in complete opposition to that ethos. Its design and height is more suited to an institutional facility.”

A City of London spokesperson said the fence was needed to stop people getting in without paying or after hours when no lifeguards are on duty, adding: “Hampstead Heath is a registered charity, and we take great care to ensure the wellbeing of our visitors.

“The new fence at the Men’s Pond has been installed in the interest of safety and security to prevent unauthorised access when the pond is closed. Additional planting will be placed around the fence.”