The debacle at Brighton's Aquarium Terraces is yet another example of how Brighton and Hove City Council's refusal to listen to residents and amenity groups has met with disastrous results.

Although The Argus may persist in claiming the new development replaces decrepit funfair rides and arcades, it only needed this clutter to be removed and, with a little restoration, we would again have had the elegant terraces of the Thirties.

How badly they are needed today. Here, people could walk or sit in peace, away from dirty beaches or the danger of being knocked down on the seafront by cyclists or skateboarders.

And with the restaurant, bandstand and other small buildings discreetly sited below the level of Marine Parade, nothing would obstruct the view of the sea.

Now anyone walking along the Parade and seeing such ugly buildings and high black roofs would be justified in thinking they were looking at the backs of warehouses.

Obviously Compco, the developer, was ill-advised to think Aquarium Terraces could sustain eight high-class restaurants, even during the winter months, but others were deceived into believing Stiles Harold Williams when they promised there would be no hamburger joints, amusement arcades or nightclubs.

In recommending this monstrosity, the planning committee ruined a central seafront site for the next 100 years. Now it is time for English Heritage to de-list it.

-Jean Penney, Camelford Street, Brighton