I WAS amazed to learn that Taunton's College, Southampton, has secured £23m to improve facilities, ie build a new school and then demolish the old one.

Surely, when repairs and new facilities become necessary it is prudent to repair, adapt and extend the existing building, using temporary classrooms during renovation.

The college's reputation is earned by good teaching staff and hard-working students gaining positive examination results, not a new building.

This is an example of tax and waste. Isn't it time to make a stand and use £23m of taxpayers' money for more needy causes?

MRS HILARY MOULTON, Southampton.