Letter:Design for Wales

Sir: It is well known that the Zaha Hadid design for the much needed Cardiff Bay Opera House did not find favour amongst local people, in much the same way as Sir Christopher Wren's design for St Paul's Cathedral was received in its day. The design was not, however, rejected because, as Jonathan Glancey suggests (article, 6 August), the Welsh were too backward to appreciate it.

There is strong feeling in Wales that the country did not get a home for its world-renowned opera company precisely because of the location. The money instead went to its rugby stadium (we Welsh being lovers of sport not culture). Many people feel aggrieved by the apparent regional bias towards London in Millennium Lottery handouts and Mr Glancey's comments merely serve to perpetuate the myth that other parts of the country don't deserve such grand plans.

C MAHONEY

100105.2235@CompuServe.COM