SIR — Mark Oaten considers the failure of the Silver Hill redevelopment to be a “disaster” (Chronicle, January 14).

In my view it is a blessing. The proposed development represents a serious overdevelopment in a quiet cathedral city.

As to disasters, I suggest the council already has two economic disasters on its hands which need rectification before they create another one.

I refer to the Theatre Royal and the Brooks Centre.

The council paid consultants to tell them the theatre was not a viable proposition, but went ahead, and have wasted council taxpayers’ money in the process.

The Brooks Centre with its empty shops is another obvious disaster.

I was a member of the council during the proposals both for the theatre and the Brooks Centre.

I strongly advised against both developments as they now exist.

I proposed that the theatre be made the main attraction at the new centre, and be of a size and quality to be entirely self supporting; this would have brought in potential customers also for the shops. I was voted off the policy & resources committee.

If the council still has money to spend after its loss in Iceland, then surely it could do worse than attempt to put right these two disastrous projects If the council still has money to spend after its loss in Iceland, then surely it could do worse than attempt to put right these two disastrous projects before embarking on any more “disasters”.

C P Simpkins (Mr), Compton Way Oliver’s Battery.