Trans women will still be able to use female-only changing rooms at Hampstead Heath's bathing ponds, despite the landmark Supreme Court ruling defining women by biological sex.
A public consultation which began in October last year drew responses from 38,000 people, with an overwhelming 86 per cent backing the continuation of existing access policies.
Under the maintained rules, transgender women retain access to the Kenwood Ladies' pond, while trans men may use the Highgate Men's pond – with a mixed pond available to all swimmers regardless of gender identity.
The City of London Corporation undertook a review of its pond policies following the Supreme Court's April 2025 judgment, which established that the legal definition of a woman as rooted in biological sex.
However, the body voted on Thursday to preserve existing procedure, ignoring the trans framework now enshrined by law.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission issued guidance last month stating single-sex services must operate based on biological sex.
Campaign groups have intensified pressure on authorities since the landmark ruling confirmed trans women do not fall within the legal definition of women.
Sex Matters secured a Court of Appeal application in March permitting the group to pursue its legal challenge against the ponds' access arrangements.
Hampstead Heath Ladies' Pond has been at the centre of the row | GETTYFiona McAnena, director of Sex Matters, accused the corporation of effectively voting to breach the law and discriminate against female pond users.
She said: "Many City of London councillors seem to think UK equality law doesn't apply to the Hampstead ponds.
"The clue is in the name: female users don't expect to encounter male people in bikinis or sometimes even naked in the showers at the Ladies' pond, but that is what the City of London Corporation has endorsed."
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She described the policy as "an unlawful mess" and condemned councillors for believing they could "ride roughshod over the law".
Trans swimmers have dismissed campaigners as "cruel and judgemental", noting they have used the facilities without incident for decades.
Chris Hayward, the Corporation's policy chairman, said the consultation demonstrated swimmers want the ponds to remain "safe, respectful and inclusive".
The men's pond at Hampstead Heath also opens its doors to women | GETTY"It's clear how much these bathing ponds mean to the communities who swim here. Many people told us how they value them as calm, safe and welcoming spaces with a strong sense of inclusion and belonging," he said.
Mr Hayward argued that while the Supreme Court clarified the legal meaning of sex, it did not mandate all trans-inclusive services to convert to single-sex provision.
The Corporation also announced plans to install additional private cubicles as part of upgrades to toilet and shower facilities at the ponds.
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