The Green Party began in the early Seventies as an ethical alternative to imposed decisions. As such, it should be diametrically opposed to the Karis Towers.

I was against City status in 2000 and campaigned against it.

Although the Green Party professed support, they did nothing to help.

While countering later controversies, such as the Capital of Culture, their convenor, Keith Taylor, has lost the plot.

True Green ethics would recognise local feeling. Yet Councillor Taylor runs a Brighton-centred party, which has never made much impact in Hove.

He has no right to swing the vote for these towers against local wishes.

The towers are ugly, while the artwork has many ambivalent features.

For example, the image presented in The Argus on July 25 shows the tower lit by the sun on its landward side which is optically impossible.

The building would be in deep shadow against the sun and would cast a shadow across the residential street in the foreground.

This high-rise housing is aimed at the rich. How else could it be funded?

They will place massive demands on services, increasing the pressure-cooker city atmosphere.

Coun Taylor is beguiled by the inclusion of affordable housing. But local housing was affordable before city status.

It is not something we should accept uncritically.

With his amiable persona, Councillor Taylor has inspired many young individuals to help his party.

Some have been rewarded with council seats. But history is filled with bungling politicians falling from grace and, in a stroke, he may have killed the local Green Party.

Fine, if he wants to become an MEP but shattering for those idealists who gave their time freely.

-Peter Poole, Hove