I have never understood the phrase "Bonfire of the nanities" until now.

For how else can you describe the absurd decision to sell the area central to our heritage in order to fund a building for use as a heritage centre in Southampton?

Would it not make much more sense to provide such a building in the centre of this area and at the same time utilise for the benefit of our citizens the treasure that exists on site. Experience else where, in the City of London, for instance, shows that the only people who will enjoy the experience they bring will be the corporate customers of big business, for the man in the street he will be assured in the same terms as that we receive from the stately homes that house pictures from our art collections nationally, make an appointment and of course you will be able to view.

Oops sorry it's not convenient can you call back?

Where are the amenity societies? My guess is that like me they tired of beating their head against a brick wall.

I am only glad that my predecessors on the old borough council who despite having remedied so much of the destruction caused by the war, still had time to renovate numerous buildings, God's House Tower and Gate, The Old Wool House (Maritime Museum) and much more on are behalf, are not present to witness such blind stupidity.

For my part, I see no purpose in exercising my vote for people who are so oblivious of our culture or history.

ALAN REYNARD, Southampton.