DEAR EDITOR -- Just a quick note to voice my backing for every word of sense stated by Ann Holmes in the April 9 edition.

Parkside School is a building that has always impressed with its dominating presence at the junction of Sourbridge Road and Market Street, Bromsgrove. To knock this down would be a huge loss to the town.

There is a great deal of land at the rear of the school and it could easily be extended without affecting the original building.

Then there is Meadows. Again, a building of great history and a hundred times more attractive than any modern building that would replace it.

If the old building, "designed for a different era of education", as claimed by Councillor Jean Longmuir is no good for today's schooling, can she explain how it obtained its DfES Beacon rating?

Bromsgrove has been allowed to expand at a rapid rate over the last 15 years and the public services have failed to keep track with the needs of new residents.

Bromsgrove schools do need to address this issue but demolishing historical buildings and lining the pockets of private finace initiatives for the next 30 years is not the way to do it.

Mark Norton,

Bromsgrove.