I am surprised and disappointed that Brighton and Hove City Council officers oppose Sussex County Cricket Club's plans for the County Ground in Hove (The Argus, March 28).

Many of the current facilities are appallingly ugly and outdated - an embarrassment to the best cricket team in the country and to Brighton and Hove, which will lose a tremendous asset if the application is refused and the club reluctantly moves out of the city.

Some southern councils have a reputation for not being interested in sport, whereas northern councils are widely perceived to be more supportive.

Brighton and Hove may have done something to change this view by backing Brighton and Hove Albion's plans for Withdean and Falmer, yet the impression remains that sport means less to some councillors and officers than it should.

The council was happy enough to bask in the glory when Sussex achieved their historic "double"of Championship and C&G Trophy last year.

A small minority of local residents are trying to scupper the club's vital plans to progress in Hove but none of these people were living there when Sussex moved into the County Ground.

They will be moaning again if the club moves out and councillors are left to consider a planning application for flats or shops on the ground, while the environmental lobby will be up in arms if the club moves to a greenfield site with less access by train or bus.

Hopefully councillors will see sense and support the application tomorrow.

  • Matthew James, Dale Avenue, Hassocks