HOW encouraging to read in Wednesday’s issue the chance for Newport to improve itself by compulsory purchase of our “ugly buildings.”

What a wealth of opportunity this opens.

I am not, of course, talking of the occasional glimpse of architectural excellence in High Street or Commercial Street but more particularly the more recent dreadful absurdities which have been hoisted on us with, as far as I can see, precious little consultation by our lamentably elected planning buffoons.

How about our hideously illdesigned and malfunctional new railway station? How about the well, on and on. What were our planners thinking of and, what’s more to the point, what are they thinking of now Friars’ Walk – phooey!

Debenhams, where, what and more importantly, when? Oh dear, we are all off down the river again, but I wonder who has sold us there?

Julian R Powell, Larch Grove, Newport