W ELL I HAVE to say it just goes to show what a little flair and imagination can do. To admit I was stunned and amazed by the concepts of Lee Newham on page 10 of last week's

Journal

would simply be the understatement of the year and when I consulted the

Journal

web-page, where more of his visions are recreated, my flabber was totally gasted!

Lee is a graphic designer with a London firm and has really shown us, with his computer-generated images, what could be achieved in the town with just a little reflection and a tiny amount of investment.

To be honest my first thought when I saw his projections was if he could do anything with my idea for a car park and leisure gardens at the Montebello site instead of the horrible shuttering that is planned there. I'd simply love to see my idea in some sort of visual form. Hint, hint!

I still believe it wouldn't cost much more and would look a whole lot more attractive; all it takes is the vision and the will. You must admit Lee certainly has got the vision and it starts to make me wonder about all the others who come up with schemes for the town that are just plain nonsensical.

The Landmark is a classic example. While the interior is more than fit for purpose and the auditorium is nothing less than superb, from the outside it really is an awful structure. And why wasn't it brought forward a little bit, so the magnificent sea views from the patio area at the rear could be enjoyed by more than a handful of its patrons?

Then, once again, there is the bus station site to consider. Why is it that a first class body of architects cannot employ someone like Lee, who no doubt has a sympathetic feel for the buildings surrounding the proposed development, to come up with a design that would not only blend with existing structures but actually enhance them?

Is it too much to ask for someone to take a good look at Ilfracombe and get to grips with what we are really all about? Is it beyond the bounds of possibility for a person to come along and say 'Yes, I could do something to enhance this place'? Why do we always get cheapskate, utilitarian proposals, instead of classic designs that would enrich the town?

What astounded me most were his ideas for making even those premises awaiting a new venture look more attractive. I have to admit his vision of Gems and Steel is little less than a masterstroke and you have to ask yourself how many other empty shops in the town could do with a makeover such as this.

Of course, it all takes money but surely there must be grants available for such enterprises. The Government, it would appear, are committed to the regeneration of the country's High Streets, so why should ours miss out?

I have to say Lee has certainly opened my eyes to a potential I didn't even know existed, although I have to single out one little point. I think "The Greenhouse", as he has developed it, would make a much better wine bar than it would a plant shop. But, being a wine drinker with hay fever this might just be me being picky.

I sincerely hope those who have our ultimate destiny in the palm of their hands have also seen his projections and made some very serious and copious notes.