B. Bayliss is right (Argus Letters, December 2).

As a prospective candidate for Central Hove in next May’s local elections, I am unaware of any consultations having taken place with local residents on the future redevelopment of the King Alfred Leisure Centre, pictured below.

I have, however. been undertaking, along with my fellow ward candidate and our team, our own survey of people in the vicinity.

It would appear that there is little appetite locally for a massive redevelopment of the site.

Rather, many of those questioned wish to see sufficient funds made available to repair and upgrade this basically sound and once much loved building. In order to facilitate these works, I see no reason why the car park to the west and the crazy golf site to the east cannot be sold off for high quality housing of a sensible architectural design, incorporating public, underground parking. All the King Alfred’s problems stem from the misguided and deeply flawed ‘String of Pearls’ notion proposed by the incoming Labour administration on Brighton and Hove City Council in 1999.

Since then, the much loved bowling alley has closed and an apparent policy of ‘deliberate dereliction’ has prevailed, thereby enabling our council to plead poverty and claim that the building is beyond economic repair. It’s such a shame that Councillors Cox and Bowden appear to have been hoodwinked by this cunning plan. We want no return to the "Twisted Towers" saga, thank you very much.

Nigel Furness

Prospective UKIP Candidate

Cambridge Road, Hove