Threat to Durham
It is deplorable that while in this way Continental treasures an (or are not) saved like brands from war's burning, one of the finest architectural compositions in Great Britain should be menaced by ordinary commercial vandalism. Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, standing eminent together on their steep-sided hill within the loop of the river Wear, form a picture of impressive majesty which can be well, though distantly, seen from the train by everyone travelling past on the east coast route to Scotland. They are al well seen at much the same angle from the main road. Both these views it is proposed to block out by erecting a mammoth elec generating station with three cooling-towers 26o feet high and chimneys 35o. The Bishop and Dean of Durham, and the Warden of the Durham Colleges first raised public protest against this; and they have 'since been supported by a most impressive chorus The chairman of the company concerned has made the usual till' convincing excuses ; but, of course, the real culprit is the loca, council, without whose complaisance, not to say connivance, rig plot could never have reached this stage. Their attitude need sus• prise nobody ; rather, it may be typical of the characteristics whirl' render so many local authorities unfit to Wield the planning powers that the Government proposes to shuffle off on to them. Such bodid as a rule think only of expansion—of getting more business and employment into their areas. For beauty and amenity they do ii°1 care a rap.
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