WHEN walking across what I consider to be the now soulless Durham market square, I noticed that most of the paving is grey, factory-sawn granite. The streets off the square have been relaid in the original, reclaimed, warmlooking York sandstone.

As far as I am aware, granite is not a regular feature of County Durham townscapes or buildings.

In this context the market place has been given a cold, austere look reminiscent more of a Soviet-style city rather than that of our previously homelylooking little town square.

I would like to know what consideration was given to this apparently incongruous design feature and what the reasons were for adopting it. Who had the final say in the matter and what qualified him to do so?

Mike Williams, Durham City.