FURTHER to Coun Houghton-Smith's letter (Your Letters, December 14) regarding the cost of the new bus shelter at the bottom of Church Street, I do of course have an interest in this as my gallery is sited behind this bunker or bus 'shelter?' I have also been involved with the new proposals for it, which I feel would greatly benefit the appearance of the town and open up a generally overlooked area.

On the figures he has received I feel he has every reason to object but at no time in our discussions was a crazy sum like £30,000 proposed. The owner of the property is prepared to donate land so that a low wall could be built, with period railings (to conform to a listed building) as a properly enclosed, standard production shelter, perhaps sponsored by a local company, as a replacement. Surely the costings are wrong?

The ideas suggested, with the help of a very experienced conservation architect, were I feel economic, practical and beneficial to both the town and public.

Much as we want to make this shelter more convenient and comfortable for people we did not propose building a detached bungalow for them!

Perhaps the councillor could look again at the costings to question the real costs involved. I do completely agree with him that the work should be done by local builders.

People come to Malvern on holiday to admire the scenery and sights such as derelict bush shelters destroy the image of our town.

IAN FEARNSIDE, Church Street, Malvern.