I had friends from London staying over and, on seeing the artist's impression of the King Alfred development for Hove in The Argus, they burst out laughing, saying "surely it's a joke".

I told them that regretfully it is not.

This was the first illustration I had seen from the north and it adds to my horror at what is proposed.

For Brighton and Hove City Council to even consider such a concept within a conservation area and so close to many buildings of real character is beyond belief.

The Argus headline of "Tin Can Towers" was certainly appropriate.

All those residents who value Hove's special character should do their utmost to prevent the railroading of acceptance of the project which appears to be the council's objective.

Talk of the economic benefits should be viewed as highly suspect. The council's past record in projecting expenditure is not one of which it can be proud.

Does Hove really want, as is claimed, thousands of visitors who will come to view and, I imagine, laugh at the new monstrosity?

Hove is not Brighton. It is mainly a residential area and residents have no wish to be seen as a suburb of Brighton with the same characteristics, yet the council seems determined to achieve this.

I fear the council will start signing contracts of intent and then claim it will be too costly to withdraw.

Alternatively, there will be a public inquiry where the proposal is rejected and the council passes on substantial costs to ratepayers.

Much is made of the provision of affordable housing within the development. It would be interesting to learn the price at which these flats are to be sold or rented.

All we really needed was a refurbished or new leisure centre but it would seem that the council can only think of far more glamourous schemes.

-D Earl, Hove