The Brighton branch of the RSPCA has done a remarkably good job of cementing the idea in the public's mind that a new park-and-ride facility at Braypool, in Brighton, would mean the closure of its headquarters, next to the site.

The local RSPCA, a separate charity from the national body, maintains it will be unable to operate if the playing fields become a park-and-ride site, arguing it won't be able to use them to exercise the dogs housed there.

An organised letter-writing campaign has reinforced the idea there are no alternatives.

There are, in fact, alternatives to using the playing fields for dog-walking but the local RSPCA has declined to consider them, which is unfortunate, not least because of the questionability of using a public area for dog-walking at all.

Inevitably, dogs defecate on the fields and, although the handlers are instructed to collect and dispose of it, the health hazards to users of the fields are obvious.

The playing fields are undoubtedly convenient but there is a field east of Braypool Lane which is closer to the rear entrance of the kennels, and which, being away from the noisy A23, would also be quieter.

The field is owned by the council and current tenancy arrangements would have to be investigated before it could be used by the RSPCA.

This option has been dismissed on the grounds the field can't be easily seen from the RSPCA's office.

Whereas Braypool playing field is ideal, it argues, because it can be kept under surveillance by staff when prospective owners take dogs for a walk.

This is apparently necessary because staff have to be able to reach the scene if a dog becomes aggressive. However, this begs the question whether prospective owners should be allowed to exercise dogs without closer supervision.

It seems unlikely staff watching from the office would be able to intervene fast enough if a dog did become aggressive.

Furthermore, after a site visit on September 6, it is difficult to see how the playing fields can be kept under any sort of surveillance through the dense tree cover between the field and the building.

An "exercise strip" around the perimeter of the new park-and-ride facility has been dismissed on the grounds the dogs need more space to exercise.

In fact, dogs are kept on a lead and the strip would afford just as much exercise as an open field.

The RSPCA suggested, at a meeting on August 30, that the Brighton and Hove branch, which is cash rich, was eager to build a new "super-centre" in the city and that Patcham Court Farm, which is one of the city's last remaining undeveloped sites, would be ideal - if the council would gift the land to the charity.

Implacable opposition to sensible compromise on the Braypool site would strengthen the RSPCA's hand if it ever came to negotiations over Patcham Court Farm.

Park-and-ride is essential to maintain our city's reputation, which supports 13,000 jobs and generates £380m for the local economy.

Park-and-ride could also service the needs of the proposed national park, helping protect the Downs.

The needs of the RSPCA and the human users of the playing fields must be taken into account but it is time for interested parties to compromise for the greater good.

-Tony Mernagh, executive director, Brighton City Centre Business Forum