Teignmouth leisure centre changing rooms comply with gender law

Changing rooms at a Devon leisure centre have been given a legal seal of approval after two years of often-acrimonious argument.

The subject of single sex and unisex changing areas was first discussed by Teignbridge Council in July 2023 when a major revamp of Broadmeadow leisure centre at Teignmouth was announced.

The revamp includes the provision of ‘village-style’ unisex changing areas with lockable changing cubicles, but the centre will also have single-sex facilities for men and women.

Gender issues have been at the centre of the debate ever since, with angry exchanges in the council chamber and questions about what the council would do if biological men who identify as women use female changing facilities.

The council’s overview and scrutiny committee heard that the council believed it complied with the current requirements of the Equality Act, but wanted its officers to keep it up-to-date with any fresh developments.

The debate took 90 minutes and the meeting had to be adjourned twice as feelings ran high again.

Barrister Jonathan Ward outlined some of his findings, having been asked by the council to look into the issue. He said: “Broadmeadow sets a very good example of the way in which these requirements can be complied with – with separate male and female facilities plus village facilities.”

Amanda Pujol, the council’s director of customer experience, pointed out that there had been no complaints of men entering women’s facilities in any Teignbridge property.

And committee chairman Suzanne Sanders (Lib Dem, Chudleigh) said: “We are operating lawfully.

“We believe there is nothing further for us to look at currently, but officers will update us.”