The strength of local opposition to a plan for a towering structure to be erected on the edge of Thornbury roundabout comes as no surprise. Bradfordians are nothing if not conservative in their tastes.

Those opinions have been coloured by years of unfulfilled promises, of schemes for grand new buildings which never quite seem to come to fruition.

But Bradford is changing: new building is taking place; some of the old, rotten core of the city - in the shape of bland sixties concrete - is starting to give way to ambitious new plans; and there is a genuine, growing desire to create a culture of regeneration and success.

It's a desire that the wider community needs to grasp. Bradfordians need to think bigger and sometimes that means more than just protecting their little corner of the district. As David Hockney says, Bradford people often don't know they're ready for something until they've got it.

Bradford needs dramatic public art and architecture: with it will come a reputation for energy and dynamism which will establish the city on an international platform, regardless of whether we win the Capital of Culture bid.

The image on the opposite page of a Guggenheim museum-type structure in Centenary Square shows what Bradford could achieve if it sets its mind to it.

Our own "Angel of the North" at Thornbury - as long as it's more innovative and exciting than the existing artist's impression - wouild be a great place to start.