Councillor Ian Davey is worried about the impact of the proposals for the Sackville Trading Estate on Portland Road, Richardson Road and the traditional shops in the centre of Hove (Letters, February 28).

Well, George Street has morphed into a popular leisure destination since pedestrianisation, largely displacing its traditional retail purpose.

Last year Vokins in Blatchington Road got planning permission to change from a major household shop to a restaurant and flats.

Richardson Road is doing very nicely thank you and all power to it.

Portland Road is a car journey away from the new development's likely customers and has endemic problems not connected to supermarkets.

Residents north of the railway tracks which so pitilessly bisect the city, however, have only warehouse -type shopping in Old Shoreham Road, the almost out-of-town Sainsbury's or the option of driving to Holmbush. There are few local shops for them to walk to and nowhere that invites lingering that is not a park. I also hear that the Nevill Road Co-op is to be taken over by a sports shop.

It has been my dream to see the relentless funnelling of all activity towards the seafront area broken up.

Hove extends all the way to the Downs, and residents north of the railway line should have local shopping, entertainment and restaurants of equal quality to the seafront area.

Regeneration, from Hove station north to the Old Shoreham Road, starting with this redevelopment as a pedestrian accessible shopping area, is central to getting it right.

The potential impact on Sackville Road traffic is awful and this development has been conceived as a motoring destination. Creating gridlock in Sackville Road won't be acceptable.

When the i360 attraction and the King Alfred redevelopment were considered by the planning committee, it was said that access from the west would be along Sackville Road.

This is already a major emissions problem area.

I spent time talking to people from Parkridge, the developer, and its architect at the public exhibition of its proposals, mainly about creating pedestrian access to Newtown Road and Hove station. It is my understanding that the developer will now be looking into acquiring two pieces of land which would give that pedestrian access. I am clear it is needed to maximise its offer to retailers, residents and the economy while minimising negative traffic impact.

I hope the developer has also seen the merit of rethinking its plan to create nine warehouse-size shopping units. Smaller shops and more of them, and a modest supermarket are what is needed.

This plan could be so uplifting and positive if the developer is flexible and receptive. It is said Hove has no real centre. Karis claimed its King Alfred would provide it. I believe a brand new mixed-development quarter above Hove station can actually deliver that anchoring centre.

  • Valerie Paynter, SaveHOVE, PO Box 521, Hove