THE clock on the Corn Exchange striking on the hour, the quarter hour and the half hour was pleasant to hear and, when we were gardening, we knew what the time was.

I personally loved the sound of that clock striking and I hope it will be restored and striking again.

Swindon Borough Council planning committee, having turned down Mr Mackenzie's planning applications over many years, thus preventing him restoring the building and using it, have much to answer for.

If the planning applications had not been constantly turned down, the building would have been safe and in use years ago.

How the council, responsible for the situation of the Corn Exchange as it is now, can then have the effrontery to charge Mr Mackenzie for the hire of cranes etc, is a scandal.

If they had passed the planning application years ago, the Corn Exchange would not be in the state it is now and the bells would not have needed to be taken out.

Coun Bawden says that: "The law says that local authorities are responsible for ensuring that unsafe structures are made safe and that the cost should be borne by the owner."

Who caused the structure to be unsafe?

Answer, the council planning committee, by turning down the planning applications.

The Corn Exchange is the most important building in Old Town and, as such, should have been given priority planning permission.

M JOHNSTON

Old Town