SIR — The reason given by councillors for refusing the Costa application beggars belief (Free Press July 5).

Evidently "the application site relates to a prominent building located on a prominent corner within the conservation area".

Not only is the building in question prominent, it dominates the area. It is a stark, ugly, gaunt 1960s building which is totally out of character with the historic Wellington Square opposite.

To speak of it in such hallowed terms is ridiculous.

To suggest that the introduction of tables and chairs outside this building would result in "visual clutter which would harm the character and appearance of the conservation area" is equally laughable.

Already in the immediate vicinity of the application site there are tables, chairs and merchandise.

Indeed, the whole length of The Avenue and The Parade is "cluttered" with tables, chairs, advertising boards and merchandise.

The planning officers presented the councillors with a clear, coherent argument for accepting the proposal.

The planning committee chose to ignore this advice. They might at least have come up with a more rational reason for doing so.

Jean Humber,

Withycombe.