So Brighton and Hove City Council, having failed to convince local taxpayers of the desirability of Frank Gehry's horrible towers, proposed for the King Alfred site, is now resorting to blackmail (The Argus, February 20).

An investor with an interest in the Brighton Centre site will view the King Alfred development for what it is - a grandiose scheme riddled with potential environmental and social flaws.

Developments in Brighton and Hove wouldn't keep running into trouble if the proposals were acceptable and in keeping with the local environs.

The King Alfred site is in a prime position, commanding the land and seascape, and Gehry's designs would be a blot on both for years to come.

It may have escaped the council's notice that, while this controversy has been going on, Crawley has built an Olympic-size pool and sports facilities without a "world-class" architect.

Hove residents shouldn't be expected to pay for Brighton's follies.

-Pauline Robertson, Hove