R J Barkley is wrong about the King Alfred centre on virtually every point (Letters, June 4). The state of building is not Brighton and Hove City Council's fault.

Few sports centres built in the Thirties are still open. The King Alfred is at the end of its natural life.

The council published figures for income and costs of maintaining the building in a report dated March 19, 2002, to the council's King Alfred task group and has not consulted only 4,000 residents.

Survey forms were sent to 1,500 King Alfred members, 200 sports clubs, 350 voluntary groups and 25 schools who use the centre. Copies were also available in libraries, sports centres and town halls.

The council would own any new sports centre but who might run it has not been decided at this early stage.

Most public sports centres do not make a profit and we do not expect this one to. Likewise, there are no details yet of exactly who would run any affordable housing. It would almost certainly be an existing housing association.

Mike Snewin (Letters, same issue) will not receive a survey form if he hasn't already. The council made it clear not everyone would get one but he can fill in the form in the council's City News or on its web site by June 14, as many of his neighbours have.

And Selma Montford is wrong to say there will be no social housing. We have said we want 40 per cent, as with other housing developments. The survey did offer a choice. You could tick the box opposing the three options.

-Coun Mike Middleton, Chairman, King Alfred Task Group, Brighton and Hove City Council