I attended the presentation by Supt Abbott of Wiltshire police, at Trowbridge Town Council, last Tuesday, November 27.

Seeing his computerised drawings of how the proposed new police station would look in Polebarn Road, I am now wholly convinced the new building is totally contrary to the conservation policies in the adopted West Wiltshire District Plan. The design and proposed materials are out of keeping with the Trowbridge Conservation Area and surrounding listed buildings.

I must emphasise I fully support the need for a new police station in Trowbridge and even like the design, but to demolish the existing building would be a criminal act and I trust the district councillors on the central area committee will refuse the application and ask the Police Authority to try again as budgetary constraints is not a valid reason. I could not expect to get a substandard planning application permitted if I had budget constraints, so why should the police or any other public body?

The computerised images give the impression of a leisure centre or swimming pool, or even a petrol station. They would not get permission in Polebarn Road. I have asked the town council to consider applying for listed building status for the existing building which could be converted into another use as it is an excellent example of 1920s build in Trowbridge.

The police station could be built elsewhere in Trowbridge, possibly in a more visible location, as Polebarn Road is not the best place for vehicles to get to the Frome Road, Wingfield Road, Bradley Road and Bradford Road side of town, or the villages beyond. Dare I mention the site of the public records office, if that is to leave Trowbridge.

Andrew C Lye,

Furlong Gardens,

Trowbridge.