CONTRARY to popular belief few are arguing against the creation of an additional ‘Hannington Lane’ into the Lanes from North Street (Argus, June 16).

However now the oldest commercial building in Brighton has been discovered behind Timpsons, Puget’s Cottage, (formerly part of Hannington’s department store and untouched for up to 150 years, though parts pre-date the 1770s), there is an additional heritage reason why a new lane should not involve the demolition of Timpsons and could easily be re-sited only feet away via a passage through the ground floor of 16 North Street, preserving the upper floors of 16 and providing windows on to the historic courtyard at the rear of Timpsons.

In addition this historic cottage could become a valuable addition to the Lanes and utilised for commercial use once more or as a tourist attraction.

This is definitely a case where commercial gain does not have to come at the price of heritage’s loss so I am surprised that not all heritage groups are supporting this option as being ‘good planning’.

To me the loss of our heritage is largely down to short-sighted and hasty planning which, by definition, lacks vision.

Have we not lost enough of the unique character of Brighton already? Once it’s gone, it’s gone!

Laura King, Brunswick Street, East Hove