MALCOM Neesam's Bygone Harrogate is wonderful for regenerating and bringing the 'past to life', as the September 19 article on Kursaal Gardens in 1908 did.

I hope the planners, HBC and HIC consider his valuable and experienced suggestion that they 'include restoring the Lawns and Orchestron as a unique focal point', behind the Royal Hall.

Sadly (for me) the proposed scheme in 1998 to do similar failed. I suggested and submitted a design plan to extend the Crescent Gardens and lawns alongside and behind the Royal Hall to give it maximum complementary enhancement with a Spa Fountain feature.

An alternative site for the new High Capacity Exhibition Hall M was suggested, (on what is now, 10 years later, being redeveloped on similar lines) behind HIC over the sunken Holiday Inn Hotel car park. Surely the optimum balance for success of both business and beauty of Harrogate Spa is achievable with a little more effort?!

I could go on but suffice to say my vision has to a degree been vindicated as was Hall D which I suggested five years prior to build and was told even by our MP Phil Willis that a second floor Hall was not acceptable.