THE £100,000 feasibility study funded by the city council for a Spitfire memorial to be placed on the waterfront not only shows how expensive such studies are but shows a lack of foresight, as a new fund is now required to study the proposed new site.

I am not against the idea that Southampton has a tribute to the Spitfire, but I am shuddering at the hike in charges for such a memorial.

In 2010 we were told the tribute memorial would be 50m high and cost £2m. Now it has 10m chopped off it and is going to cost half a million more.

One part of me adheres to the idea of reminding future generations how the bravery of pilots flying war planes and the dedication of those building the planes saved our country. The other part of me cringes that it will be a weapon of destruction turned into a shiny piece of artwork that visitors from foreign ports will set sight on while steaming up the Solent on board the many cruise liners berthing here.

Several years ago I had hoped an iconic wind turbine could be placed somewhere near the waterfront, where people could be hauled up to a viewing platform and small exhibitions within the rotating platform could also be a feature, the gigantic 150m supporting column to be cleverly structured so that it rivalled the Portsmouth Spinnaker Tower in height and form.

It appears that there is money to shovel on building tributes harking back to successful war projects but when it comes to creating something beneficial for the future of our energy supply and incorporating an educational element for future generations, little interest or funding has been apparent.

JOE COX, Southampton City Council Green Party candidate for Bargate.