EVERY time I read that yet another plan for the Winter Gardens site has been turned down by Bournemouth council (Daily Echo, June 18), I breathe a sigh of relief.

It means there still remains a hope that one day the council might see their way to replacing the building that was so sadly demolished seven years ago.

This was in spite of a strong campaign to ‘Save the Winter Gardens' and the promise that another hall would take its place.

Of course some councillors at the time were fond of pointing out that the building was built as an indoor bowling green, replacing the first Winter Gardens where Sir Dan Godfrey founded the Bournemouth Orchestra.

However it was Laurance Harker, the astute manager of the Pavilion, who after World War Two, suggested that the Winter Gardens building be adapted at little expense as a concert hall as it had a perfect acoustic and a wide stage. This transformed building was equally adaptable as a venue for such diverse entertainment as the Bournemouth Schools Carol Festival, the summer show, wrestling and, at this time of year, the Bournemouth Competitions Festival.

The excellent exhibition now on display at Bournemouth Library, The Band Plays On, celebrating the Bournemouth Orchestra’s 120th anniversary shows just how important the Winter Gardens site has been in the history of Bournemouth.

If just a fraction of the millions that has been squandered on the ill-fated Imax had been invested in upgrading the Winter Gardens building, we would now have the perfect indoor venue that the town needs.

Well once again the Winter Gardens site has been saved from unwanted development.

The whole attractive tree lined area should now be preserved for good until an exciting new project is drawn up for a third Winter Gardens building, to serve the town's people and its many visitors.

RAYNER SKEET, Tuckton Road, Bournemouth