The decision by Brighton and Hove City Council to give the go ahead for the redevelopment of the King Alfred centre (The Argus, March 24) is fantastic news for the city and the local economy.

The employment and business opportunities will bring economic benefits for all sectors of the community across the city. And the provision of affordable homes will help ease the recruitment difficulties which are currently holding back many Sussex firms.

Sussex Enterprise research shows the high cost of housing in Sussex may have prevented between 3,300 and 6,100 jobs being created and £100-180 million of economic output being created in the Sussex economy in a year.

The redevelopment of this site has taken much too long to come to fruition but at last we are now seeing long-term vision from some councillors.

  • Mark Froud, chief executive, Sussex Enterprise