I was born in Coldean in 1954, therefore I read Adam Trimingham’s article about Stanmer (The Argus, February 26) with interest.

During my childhood I spent a lot of time in Stanmer Park and noticed the changes as they occurred. The construction of the two universities, teachers’ training college and the widening of the road affected both Falmer and Stanmer.

I work at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and I believe it would have been beneficial had a new hospital been constructed in Stanmer Park 50 years ago, as was planned.

There would have been side effects. The road leading into Stanmer Park would almost certainly have become a dual carriageway. This would have continued through the village before ascending the track to Old Boat Corner. The road would then have met at the junctions of Coldean Lane, Ditchling Road and the road to Patcham. This is similar to the route of the Brighton bypass built three decades later.

Stanmer and Falmer would now be housing estates on the fringe of the city and Stanmer Park would probably not exist. The widening of the A27 was necessary to deal with the increasing traffic but this did hit Falmer badly. It effectively split the village in two.

It has been suggested that a tunnel should have been constructed to protect Falmer. This would have reduced the effect but such a tunnel would have been at risk of flooding.

I think it was unfair of Adam Trimingham to criticise succesive local authorities. From the 1960s onwards, the amount of uncertainty mentioned above would have made any long-term planning risky.

Richard J Szypulski, Lavender Street, Brighton

For once I find myself in disagreement with Adam, the Sage of Sussex, over his sad tale of Stanmer Park.

No mention of the building of £700,000 luxury houses in the grounds of Stanmer House and the closure of the museum to make room for more, to say nothing of the ghastly car park on the grass alongside the pub.

Given the opportunity, I am sure a property developer would build houses over the entire park – after all, that is what property developers do, is it not?

Bob Kennett, Benfield Way, Portslade