Letter of the day

I am always interested in the Nostalgia features and pictures which appear in The News and on its website.

Last month, I was rather saddened to see the list of 11 historic buildings which have been demolished over the years, including the former teachers’ training college at Milton and the old central Post Office in Commercial Road.

Some of the buildings, such as the power station in Old Portsmouth, had outlived their purpose but it is a shame developers and the city council, when granting planning permission, have not given more thought to alternative uses for some of these sites rather than immediate use of a demolition contractor’s wrecking ball.

The preservation of a number of historic buildings and their conversion for a new life within Gunwharf Quays is a shining example of what can be done with sufficient imagination and willingness.

Perhaps a sign of a change of attitude and a greater appreciation of how easy it is to erase Portsmouth’s heritage buildings is the new campaign by city businessman Alvin Edyvane, who wishes to save the former Records Office in Museum Road from destruction.

He has set up a Facebook page, Save the Portsmouth City Records Office, with a link to a petition, on Change.org with a target of 1,000 signatures.

If this number is reached, city councillors will have to debate the building’s future.

I have signed and hope other people who care for our history and heritage will join me and other campaigners.

Alicia Denny F4 Cumberland Business Centre, Northumberland Road, Portsmouth