I READ with interest Michael Gray's letter and concerns over the Portman site, in Marlborough.
Obviously flat roofs are unattractive, but overall it is a prettier site than the Portman office.
What surprises me is that little is said of the planning consent for something much more damaging to the character of the town namely 16 acres of industrial buildings, perhaps 350,000 sq ft of factories, situated behind the Ailesbury Lodge east of the Salisbury Road, the southern gateway to the town via Savernake Forest.
Marlborough is a college, shopping and tourist centre of great charm and historical interest, now with an increasing high value residential content.
The industrial estate is entirely inappropriate in this context and damaging to this town of such exceptional merit. Arguments regarding employment potential must be outweighed in this case for environmental reasons.
Similar work units are in good supply in all the surrounding towns and easily accessible by road.
Nevertheless, planning consent has been granted and the site sold.
M J BARTLETT
Ram Alley
Burbage
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