Fury has broken out on social media after the group that runs the women's swimming pond on Hampstead Heath was asked to consider a ban on transgender women.

The Kenwood Ladies Pond, in Hampstead Heath, has been open to transgender women since 2010, when the City of London Corporation (CoLC) adopted a new gender identity policy.

The Kenwood Ladies Pond Association (KLPA), which has around 1,000 members, has been asked to update its the constitution around the word "woman" at its annual general meeting on March 3.

A KLPA member has submitted a resolution that the word woman is "interpreted literally and biologically so that only those born female in sex can use the pond".

The resolution adds that men who call themselves women, see themselves as women, claim to be women, identify as women, or wish to be women "are to be excluded".

Ham & High: High summer queue to swim in the Kenwood Ladies Pond in Hampstead HeathHigh summer queue to swim in the Kenwood Ladies Pond in Hampstead Heath (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

It adds: "To reflect this, the constitution will be amended to insert the word 'biological female' as clarification where necessary."

The resolution proposes that, if passed, the KLPA should "seek to influence the City of London to change its stance on this issue".

Men and women wishing to transition can do so medically through hormone changes and surgery, or socially, through name, clothing and hairstyles, but the CoLC's policy does not make a distinction over this.

Opponents have often cited Muslim women and Orthodox Jewish women being excluded from the pond due to the policy.

But X user @esjayXX posted a screenshot of the proposal on the social media platform on Sunday (February 18) calling supporters of the corporation's policy within the KLPA "self-hating women".

She said: "We have a ladies swimming pond in London (as well as a men’s and a mixed sex)

"Sadly some members want to allow men into this magical space. Because women are not allowed our own spaces. 

"The City of London set the rules. But self-hating women in the #KLPA maintain them."

@IndiaWilloughby retweeted the post, saying "the truth about the anti-trans movement is revealed".

She added: "You know they say “Let Women Speak” and claim to be about “Women’s Rights”?

"Well here they are calling trans allies 'self-hating women' @CityCorpHeath
 #Hampstead."

The KLPA has consistently said it is committed to helping to create an inclusive environment for all women, including transgender women.

Ham & High: Entrance to Kenwood Ladies Pond which clearly states Women Only but some swimmers want the word 'woman' to be updated in a reignited transgender rowEntrance to Kenwood Ladies Pond which clearly states Women Only but some swimmers want the word 'woman' to be updated in a reignited transgender row (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Pauline Latchem & Beth Feresten, co-chairs of the KLPA said in a statement: "The KLPA management committee has appended to the AGM papers a formal 
response explaining that it is in receipt of legal opinion that the proposal is likely to be unlawful and that, pending further legal advice, the amendment may be removed from consideration at the AGM.

"In addition, the committee officers have reiterated that all women are welcome to join the KLPA and recorded their opinion that it would be irresponsible and contrary to good governance to recommend to the membership a proposal that is likely to be unlawful as well as impossible to enforce."

KLPA has said only members can attend the AGM and the press is not invited.