I must congratulate The Argus on the splendid Seagulls supplement, Ten Years On (The Argus, April 25).

It brought back so many fond memories of 50 years on the East Terrace at the dear old Goldstone Ground with my brother Bob and family.

It also included so much Albion history that was beyond memory.

Both as a veteran supporter and as a one-time borough planning officer of Brighton, I have been following the new stadium saga with great interest.

I agree Falmer is not perfect but it stands out above the alternatives, only one of which ever appealed to me, admittedly with a personal bias - the land in the Goldstone Valley (wrongly called Toads Hole Valley) off King George VI Avenue.

A sports facility in the same valley as the old ground - and, indeed, the ancient Goldstone itself in Hove Park - could rightfully have been named Goldstone Stadium.

In one role or another I was involved in downland preservation for more than 30 years, so I can say with assurance I would no longer recommend the inclusion of the Falmer site in any area of special landscape value, dominated as it is now by roads and university buildings.

Ruth Kelly, the Government minister responsible, has two vital decisions to make in the very best interests of Brighton and Hove.

I would urge her to approve the Falmer site, hopefully well before the July 9 deadline.

And, as is the wish of so very many residents, call in the planning application for the King Alfred proposals and duly overrule its approval by Brighton and Hove City Council (on the casting vote of the planning committee chairman).

In my view, a contrary decision in either case by Ruth Kelly would have as disastrous consequences as did the sale of the Goldstone Ground ten years ago.

  • Ken Fines, Northease Drive, Hove