Nick Tyson claims (Argus, March 26) the shutters at 13 Brunswick Square, Brighton, were designed after thorough research, but his own research (The Town House Times, January 1999) shows originally they would have been painted Holland green and so would not have spoilt the proportions of the windows as seen from the outside.

The hailstorm which broke 100 panes of glass to which he refers was in 1834. Glass is so much stronger now it does not need to be protected by shutters.

Unfortunately, as the shutters at 13 Brunswick Square were installed before listed building consent was applied for, there was no opportunity for discussions with Brighton and Hove City Council's conservation team.

East Sussex County Council Joint Conservation Project, which awarded a grant for the shutters, had a duty to ensure listed building consent for the work it funded had been obtained. This it failed to do.

It would be a pity if Mr Tyson's hope that more people in Grade I-listed Brunswick Square would install cream-coloured shutters is fulfilled, as this would spoil even more of the square.

Owners should not be tempted to follow Mr Tyson's example of carrying out the work without first obtaining listed building consent from the council.

-Selma Montford, Hon Secretary, The Brighton Society