I read the letters on July 30 about the proposed King Alfred towers and, for the first time, I felt sorry for the city's councillors and planning department.

They have been rightly castigated for the bland designs approved for the Brighton station site and Tesco's in Church Road but when they try to introduce some exciting 21st Century architecture the same moaning minnies are out in force.

Like some of your other correspondents, I have a qualification in building - and the history of building. Brighton and Hove has a wealth of historic buildings from the quaint cottages in The Lanes, through Regency, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco to late 20th Century.

One of your correspondents stated "tower blocks generally are now considered an out-dated, antisocial concept", yet New York is the most exciting city on earth.

We elect councillors who employ professionals and we must let them perform in the interest of the whole city, not a few nimbies and pressure groups. Then, if people are unhappy, they can elect a different set of candidates.

Let us retain the best of our past but look forward to producing 21st Century architecture to retain our reputation as one of Britain's most exhilarating cities. I hope the new football stadium and King Alfred are just the start.

-Philip Lewis, Hove