THERE are plans to build a new seven-storey apartment block next to the recently "rediscovered" Mackintosh building on Queen Margaret Drive in Glasgow.

Why would we hide an architectural gem which is part of the cultural legacy of the city? Research evidence confirms that the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh is a major factor in attracting tourists to Glasgow and a substantial contributor to the economy. Any proposal must be sensitive to the scale and positioning of the distinctive Mackintosh design so that city residents and visitors may enjoy his iconic work for many years to come.

Carol Matthews,

Chair, Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society,

Mackintosh Church, Queen's Cross, Garscube Road, Glasgow.