It is fanciful to assign Stonehenge as the inspiration of the architect John Wood’s Circus in Bath (The battle for the future of Stonehenge, The long read, 8 February). Wood worked in the classical tradition and was very mindful of the urban planning of ancient Greece and Rome. The Circus is part of an architectural stagecraft that marries the hilly topography with the practicalities of enlightenment domestic living, disposing a square, a circus and ultimately the wonderful crescent in a rich and delightful play of axial geometry, light and movement. Rome and Athens are the more likely models than the standing stones in Wiltshire.
Malcolm Reading
Architect, London
• I thought Charlotte Higgins’ piece on the past and future of Stonehenge was excellent, but couldn’t decide if her entirely neutral reference to the man responsible for the resolution of this monumental problem, Chris Grayling, reveals her journalistic objectivity or subtle sense of humour.
John Bailey
St Albans, Hertfordshire
• The need for the military training area around Stonehenge is questionable. The dilemma should be a no-brainer, given that the army needs the training area like human beings need a third nostril.
As a small group of islands off the north-west shores of continental Europe, Britain is completely unable to fight a major war and is hopefully unwilling to do so. Run a new road through what should be a redundant training area.
Phil Turner
Malvern, Worcestershire
• Why don’t we just move the stones?
Mark Lyall
North Cadbury, Somerset
• Letters in response to Malcolm Reading and Phil Turner: John Wood’s Circus in Bath and Stonehenge
