Kendal residents’ views on what constitutes welcome vibrancy will vary hugely (Gazette, September 3, ‘Project wants to spark new vibrant town’).

I am delighted with the exciting slate architecture of the Box, the converted Factory as a hub for artists, the proposed centre for small businesses in an empty building in Highgate and the aim to have more people living and working in the town centre so traffic will be reduced.

By contrast I do not understand the recent changes to Wainwright’s Yard, hitherto focusing on Wainwright with the outline of the fells along the approach wall, and the slate etched profiles on the terrace. There are beautiful planters and many hanging baskets brimming with flowers and Pizza Express has delicate cyclamens growing in re-used cans on every terrace table. There is an attractive curved pattern on the setts on the ground. And the shops and eateries have tasteful signs.

So what is gained by the addition of pink and turquoise stands with artificial shrubs, and grey and swirling turquoise tarmac in the approach alleyways? Also the pink and turquoise signage, at three levels not one, protrudes on to the Stricklandgate pavement, with the setts and flagstones replaced by a half circle of tarmac. To me it breaks the natural connection with the Yard, while the waist level advertisement means pedestrians have to detour round it.

The nearby Westmorland Centre, Elephant’s Yard, New Shambles and Finkle Street have preserved and made use of flagstones and setts.

Are these and the old cobbles not one of the attractive aspects of Kendal which visitors and residents alike value? Many come to Kendal for the high quality festivals, old and new. And we are getting more walkers.

A Professor of Urban Morphology, who has spent his professional life studying the historic development of English towns, wrote after a recent visit: “Kendal has one of the best preserved large medieval market-town lay-outs in Britain. Many of the burgages (the plots given to the medieval burghers) are unusually elongated. While many on the riverside were cleared in the 1950s and 60s the remaining ones merit greater attention from planners.”

I do hope that Kendal will not sacrifice this fine heritage and the distinctive ambiance of a market town with a peaceful riverside to commercial concepts of what attracts visitors.

Elspeth Horsman

Kendal