WITH reference to the Earl Bathurst’s “legacy to Cirencester” on the allotments and acres of prime agricultural land at Chesterton, and the apparent need for 2500 new home in this area, can I suggest that – for once – we try to erect buildings in Cirencester of some architectural merit that we could be proud of, instead of the usual Cotswold pastiche which developers produce because it is easy and cheap.

It is possible to build houses – to include a decent number of affordable homes - cheaply and to a really high standard of design, which we could all be proud of as I have said.

This would indeed be a legacy.

I would suggest having an open competition, where architects across the country could submit designs and then a committee would select what is deemed suitable for this area.

The Royal Institute of British Architects has an experienced team who can advise and arrange competitive selection processes, bringing credibility, prestige and rigour to the whole operation.

It costs no more to employ the best architect than it does to go to the person who lives in the next village – or who has the ear of CDC.

Excellence not mediocracy should be the way forward – we have a big opportunity here, let us not let it slip.

Diana Heywood

Daglingworth