AS a nature lover who also appreciates historic sites, I was horrified to read of the destruction of the Barracks Lodge in Elton and the mess made by other developers in the area of the former Greenmount convent.

Surely it is time a law was passed to curb the actions of monsters who wreak such havoc, not caring what they destroy as long as they make money.

Such a beautiful holy setting as that at Greenmount should never have been desecrated by something as prosaic as housing, which brings noise and pollution.

I am equally disturbed that developers advertise sites of former hospitals, such as Florence Nightingale. This was a lovely quiet spot where I remember going as a child, taking flowers for the patients after the Whit walks. Places that have known such peace and quiet should not be given over to housing.

When churches or hospitals have to close it would be more appropriate to use them for day centres or nurseries, or perhaps a sanctuary with gardens for those seeking temporary refuge from the worst excesses of this modern age. The money could be provided by the Government - after all, they are responsible for the stress all this over-development causes.

MISS J. KAY

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.