• YOUR report (Green spaces ‘should be seen as a vital service’, February 16) is highly pertinent as their protection falls into question constantly. The Camden planners, now almost constantly seen as regulators of development, were once seen as exemplars of planning standards. In the “late 1940s” the aspiration was to provide six acres of open space per 1,000 people. Pundits such as Lewis Keeble wrote about space standards with the fervour of medieval philosophers. If only present-day planners would come to the assistance of Andrew Hinchley and thus, indirectly, the select committee on how “green spaces should be seen as a vital service”. Camden has the chance of leading the way again. For example, Haverstock ward with its 11,000 residents and solitary Talacre Town Green open space extending to a hectare, if it were following the Keeble route would seek 66 acres for public open space. This is unattainable, but it teaches that we have to give priority to retaining what we’ve got and not clutter up the place with the metal contraptions of an open air gym – as is now proposed.

The locality of the green has the highest density of gyms in the country. The old boxing club, the Talacre Community Sports Centre and the Prince of Wales Baths all offer unparalleled choice so let’s keep this proposed monster for elsewhere. The forlorn character of the Lismore Circus outdoor gym illustrates what many have feared – little used metal work.

Friends of the Talacre Town Green are anxious to maintain a gentle, uncluttered, aspect. A gym of the kind sought, in the heartland of gyms in Camden, seems inappropriate.

PETER CUMING
Talacre Road, NW5