MADAM,

After I had completed and posted my letter regarding the derelict building on Monnow Street, I realised something which could not only improve the area it currently occupies but could also be of great benefit to visitors to the town and the town’s historic links to Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson.

The derelict building is next door to Lloyds Bank PLC. At the rear of Lloyds Bank PLC is the famous Nelson Garden.

Given it is very unlikely Lloyds Bank PLC would ever allow tourists to come trampling through the ground floor of their property, I have the following suggestion:-

Having first ensured both Lloyds Bank PLC building and its neighbour on the other side of the derelict building have been made safe, secure, and able to stand in all winds and weathers with external walls intact, why not use part of the land or convert ground floor of said derelict building (demolish the rest) to provide both a means of pedestrian access to/egress from said Nelson Garden and interpretive displays and other historically relevant information on the garden, the Kymin Round House", Kymin Naval Temple and the whole relationship between Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson and the town.

Of course, the many feral pigeons that have taken-up residence in the present structure would probably be most upset at losing their roosting place. But chance and development always offends somebody and it is long over-due for something to be done here, if this appears a good way to achieve a substantial benefit to and enhancement of the historical image of our town.

R J Powell

(Monmouth)