Sir, In the Abbey Vision Consultation Report prepared by the Vale of White Horse District Council in 2014, one of the general principles underlying the methodology was that single-interest groups should not be allowed to outshout others.

In the Herald of March 11, three letters were published urging Abingdon residents to vote for scenario A, which retains the open-air pool, in the consultation on the future of Abbey Meadow. This looks suspiciously like an attempt to outshout others by a single-interest group.

In the interests of balance, I would like to note the following facts about the pool which residents should also take into account when deciding which of the three scenarios they prefer.

In the wide-ranging consultation with community groups, young people, and others in late 2014, the participants were asked to rank the ten facilities currently available in Abbey Meadow. The pool was ranked sixth – hardly a ringing endorsement or evidence that it is ‘much loved’. Secondly, the net cost to the public sector (after swimmer’s entry charges) is £4.80 per swim.

This means that a substantial amount of public money is being swallowed up by a single facility that is only open for three months of the year – money which could be used to improve and maintain other facilities which have a wider appeal and are available all year round.

Think carefully before you vote.

Roberta Nichols
Mattock Way
Abingdon