I followed the arguments for and against the King Alfred redevelopment with great interest.

Although I have only lived here for a short period, I have a great love for the city dating from childhood visits and many others in the past ten years.

As a retired architect, I find it difficult to criticise Frank Gehry's proposals because he is world-renowned and respected.

Secondly, the scheme is an imaginative combination of housing and recreational facilities.

My overwhelming feeling is, however, that the two towers are totally inappropriate for the site

The original 38-storey towers were also considered inappropriate by Gehry himself but the 20-25-storey towers now proposed would also surely still be too dominant, bearing in mind the five-to-ten storey height of the existing surrounding buildings?

I shuddered at the appearance of the towers. Rather than reminiscent of "Edwardian ladies in flowing dresses", they remind me of the World Trade Centre towers in New York at their point of collapse.

That Gehry himself considers parts of the scheme "over the top" and "even a bit much for my taste" must surely add weight to the objectors' cause.

The people who ultimately come to live and play in the new development will undoubtedly enjoy it.

But Brighton and Hove City Council has a duty of care to ensure those who live in the area don't suffer as a result.

To quote Gehry: "It's up to the community. It's their choice".

-JW Veness, Hove