THE founder of a residents’ association has slammed the “shameful” condition of a city centre garden, which has been plagued by graffiti, mud, trampled plants and a “rapidly deepening sinkhole”.

Gary Farmer of the Old Steine Community Association told councillors from Brighton and Hove City Council that “neglect and destruction” of the Old Steine Gardens and the Victoria Fountain is “unforgivable”.

In an email to councillors seen by The Argus, he said that a sinkhole at the park had been exposed to the public after fencing around it was knocked over, and that parts of the park remain muddy with pools of water some ten weeks on from the end of a funfair held at the park as part of the city’s first Christmas festival.

The Argus:

Referring to the Victoria Fountain, which has been switched off due to structural concerns, he said: “Are we watching the next West Pier sink into the Wellesbourne?”

He also questioned whether the Brighton Fringe and Spiegeltent should be moved while the sinkhole remains at the park.

“Nothing has been done, it has been left to rot and dilapidate,” he said.

“How can anyone ignore this shameful situation?”

The Argus:

Mr Farmer also criticised the “very lacklustre planting of a few garden centre plants sporadically lining the still destroyed bedding”.

A sinkhole appeared at Old Steine Gardens in mid-January, provoking concern and outrage from residents.

A meeting of full council last month passed a resolution calling for the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee to commission an urgent investigation into the appearance of the sinkhole and whether existing damage to the Victoria Fountain was worsened by the funfair and may be worsened by heavy equipment due to be placed at the park during work on the Valley Gardens project.

The resolution also called on the committee to agree to the public release of all findings “so that residents can be assured that the city’s historic sites and important heritage assets will be treated with the respect they deserve”.

The council has been approached for comment.