With regard to the article on the proposed £230 million development of Brighton Marina (The Argus, November 15), getting rid of Asda and McDonald's is definitely a step in the right direction but replacing them with flats built by a private developer most certainly isn't.

How can Brighton and Hove City Council believe that building a lot of flats can benefit the people of Brighton?

They won't be affordable, they won't attract anyone to visit the marina and they most certainly won't improve the look of the area which is one of the county's biggest lost opportunities.

The marina's design was a colossal mistake. The sea and the boats simply can't be seen from directly inland - they are masked from view. Why have such beautiful things and then hide them from view?

In addition, tourists wishing to visit the marina can travel to it along the delightful Volks railway. However, upon reaching Black Rock they have to walk through a multi-storey car park which smells of urine to get to the short, 100-yard boardwalk with a few restaurants, which is the only decent public area of the marina.

What a wasted opportunity.

Marinas in other towns provide a hub of interest. They are beautiful locations. They are not ugly blocks of concrete which blot out any sight of the sea and which seem to be cordoned off expressly to forbid the public from gaining access.

The sea is one of the greatest assets Brighton has. It is why the tourists visit. It is why many of the locals live here. We are blessed to live beside the sea.

There is a reason why yachting and boating are such favourite pastimes of the wealthier sections of our society. The yachts are beautiful, the sea is inspiring and the whole experience is magical. Why should it be hidden away from view? Most of us cannot afford to indulge in the hobby but there's no reason why we can't enjoy marina life.

Can I ask the council to acknowledge this fact and start making planning decisions to maximise the marina's potential rather than masking it from view?

  • Margaret White, Coldhatch Lane, Horsham