You walk by and you just want to cry. The 1970s standards prevailing inside the King Alfred Leisure Centre are only matched by its dilapidation outside.

The whole surrounding area east and west from the King Alfred could be a star location in any sequence to the gritty The Tunnel murder mystery series.

Mike Weatherley MP is right to bemoan the apparent omission of Hove from large scale projects by Brighton & Hove City Council.

The only projects which the Green Party run City Council seems to pursue are in the Brighton Pavilion part of the city – precisely where Green MP Caroline Lucas tries to be re-elected.

Is it really that difficult to find some private developers to bid for the King Alfred site?

The market potential is such that there would be ample scope to build a new state-of-the-art eight lanes 50-metres pool and all additional sporting facilities one can dream of.

The private housing would pay for it all, including additional millions for the taxpayers.

Strict guidelines imposing Victorian facades or similar along King’s Esplanade could make it quite possibly the most exciting new location in the south of England.

Those running Brighton and Hove have had years and years to come up with a solution for the King Alfred and its shabby surroundings.

Instead they have apparently chosen to leave this important part of the seafront scarred and neglected.

The Green Brighton & Hove City Council’s attitude towards the King Alfred and to Hove can be best summarised as: incompetence, actually.

JP Floru The Willows Vincent Square, London