What would we do without The Argus, which provided space for our reputable local historian, Chris Horlock, to express his views on the New England Quarter development (The Argus, April 23).

He is certainly not alone in his opinions. I dare say, in the matter of Sainsbury's alone, there are very many elderly and/or infirm residents in agreement, as they now find it a struggle or even impossible to shop at this new supermarket due to the incline of Ann Street and the absence of regular public transport to the store's entrance.

Looking above and beyond Sainsbury's, I was reminded of a military barracks - for all around are concrete walls with plain, small, square or oblong windows, accompanied mainly by slatted wood balconies which look like crates suspended by galvanised steel girders.

In fact wood slats are everywhere, like the work of a mad carpenter let loose with a saw and nail gun and in some places the edges and corners of the woodwork were sharp to the touch. I passed about 30 letter boxes fixed in the wall of one block, their apertures a mere 25mm wide so anything thicker would require a journey to the sorting office - and hard luck if a resident wants a newspaper delivered.

Simple things like this count in day-to-day life. But this must be the modern way of living - for according to adverts the accommodation is attracting a high level of sales.

So maybe the interiors are more acceptable, but I agree with Chris Horlock that given a few decades the buildings and surroundings will probably become very shabby and create problems.

On the question as to why such a plan was chosen with provision to include the relocation of Sainsbury's - I would remind readers of Angela Wintle's interview with the city's chief executive, Alan McCarthy (The Argus, April 13).

Upon being questioned about the proposed plans for the King Alfred, Ms Wintle wrote: "He accepts it's a controversial development but says the chance of acquiring an incredible sports centre' and 40 per cent affordable housing for free is too good to refuse."

I wonder what freebie the city obtained from the New England Quarter's developers to make it "too good to refuse"?

It is surely time our councillors used their power more often to reject this form of bribery, which is now often presented to them.

Ken Chambers
Whippingham Road,
Brighton