I have been attending a number of community groups who support the proposal for a new skate park, but object to it being built on the open, green end of The Level.

There have been many meetings and consultations in relation to Brighton and Hove City Council’s Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund bid but to date the consensus is that little progress is being made.

Part of the problem is that the schedule for the building of the skate park is not in tandem with the schedule for the lottery bid.

The build phase for the skate park is autumn/winter 2011 and the council will not know if it has been successful with the lottery bid until December 2011/ January 2012.

It is great news that the council has invited community groups to put forward ideas for the southern, play park end, where the existing skate park is located, but the two projects need to be integrated.

The northern end of The Level is an iconic, historic, open space in the very heart of the city and the community groups are brimming with ideas for activities that can be held there throughout the year. It would also be wonderful to retain this open space to celebrate the designer of the original children’s play area, Bertie MacLaren, who had a vision of The Level as part of the green vista that would run from the Old Steine.

Finally, may I suggest a competition for schools of the city to produce a round paved design for the area where the four paths meet in the northern section to celebrate Bertie MacLaren’s work?

Adrian Morris
Queen’s Gardens, Brighton