The farce called the restoration of the King Alfred centre continues and would be funny if it were not for the amount of council taxpayers' money being spent on the project at an alarming rate.

The cost to taxpayers must be at least £1 million in time spent by city councillors and council officials. There is nothing to show for this money.

The council has now set up a task group to consider the restoration, which comprises councillors and council officials, none of whom uses the King Alfred or plays or has any interest in sport.

They appointed a sports consultant to prepare a brief on improvement to the King Alfred but this is way over the top.

So more consultants have been appointed, at more cost, who have produced three plans involving housing on the site and a smaller sports facility.

Three plans mean more meetings and a longer period to decide which plan is suitable, thus more Taxpayer's money.

The proposed schemes appear to be totally opposed by a majority of Hove residents while taxpayers in the other parts of the city have to meet the huge costs but will be unable to use the facilities because of lack of car parking spaces and poor public transport.

The proposals are for flats with about a third being affordable housing but who will pay the high prices for these types of flat?

What happens if the property market takes a downturn or interest rates rise? Will taxpayers be left to meet the total development costs?

Councillors should forget these grandiose schemes and concentrate on refurbishment of the present King Alfred.

This would save taxpayers having to pay vast sums with nothing to show for the money.

-B Bayliss, Mornington Crescent, Hove