Your headline (February 6 reads "Historic Market House might be set for a lift", and the accompanying article outlines proposals from the Ledbury and District Civic Society team to better utilise some of Ledbury's historic buildings to secure their long-term future.

As the article points out, the idea of installing a lift in the Market House was proposed back in 2003 and met with a public outcry.

What makes Ledbury and District Civic Society think that the reaction will be any different this time?

This iconic grade 1 listed building should be preserved as it is and not defaced by the addition of a lift, however "sympathetic" the design.

Although the (barely publicised) "consultation period" ended on Tuesday, February 11, I would urge everyone who cares about Ledbury's architectural heritage to contact the Ledbury Civic Society and make it plain that adding a lift to the Market House would be nothing short of an act of vandalism.

Derek Phillips

Ledbury