Tony Mernagh disagrees with the decision of the policy and resources committee of Brighton and Hove City Council to request that Toad's Hole Valley is included in the proposed South Downs National Park (The Argus, November 3).
Mr Mernagh suggests this move is political but I fail to see what political capital could arise from the decision. Surely the desire to retain this important green sweep of the South Downs is reason enough?
The by-pass traverses the valley at right angles to it but does not dominate the landscape. From Downland Drive and the higher part of King George VI Drive, there are extensive views over Toad's Hole Valley to the wider downland.
It is too easy to say green fields adjoining a built up area are of lower environmental value than more distant landscapes but the fact remains that Toad's Hole Valley is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Several attacks on the valley have been made over the years and this latest effort should also be repulsed.
Our city is between the downs and the sea. If Mr Mernagh wishes to see growth here, the choice is no different to that facing other "islands" - build higher and higher.
-Richard Allden, Hove
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