I AGREE with Peter Johnston in his letter, “Knock it down” (November 10), that central Bolton has many fine buildings worthy of preservation.

But I am also fairly sure that he would agree with me that Bolton Council does not have a very good track record on this. One only has to look at Churchgate to see the vandalism permitted in the last 40 years.

His claim that the architecture of the Clarence Street School is mediocre is a purely subjective assessment.

As for its potential utility — the same claim could have been made for the old art college building in Great Moor Street, which appears to have been successfully converted to town centre housing.

The council’s Development and Regeneration department makes these decisions. Development with Conservation might be a better remit.

John Francis, Breightmet