Letter : Choked heritage

Sir: As the only known resident of Parliament Square (I am privileged to "live over the shop" during my year of office as President of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Christian Wolmar's piece on plans to pedestrianise it struck a particular chord with me (article, 25 April).

That appalling air quality should compete with deafening noise for the attention of visitors to one of the most historically significant parts of London is a sad example of the British tendency not to capitalise on our greatest assets. The quality of buildings as places to live and work is partly determined by the quality of the spaces between them.

Simon Pott

President, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

London SW1