We recently visited Stanmer Park and saw the sorry state of the farm house, boarded up like an abandoned squat.

From reading the Friends of Stanmer notice board, we discovered its opposition to Brighton and Hove City Council's plans to charge the public to park at Stanmer.

We attended a meeting on October 20 at Brighton Town Hall to hear what the environment committee, chaired by councillor Gill Mitchell, had to say.

The council is no longer planning one large car park but some 325 parking spaces throughout the park, 26 of which will be for disabled people, with 100 spaces just inside the gates, in the area known as Dukes car park.

The question of parking charges seems to have been decided. Councillors asked how much and how soon the charges could be up and running, not if.

At a previous meeting with Friends of Stanmer, Coun Mitchell thought parking charges might be £1 but didn't know for how long that would be for.

A Labour councillor thought £1 was too low and that "charges of £2 to £3 for two hours parking wouldn't be a problem for people on low incomes". (What planet is he on?)

Another councillor suggested a £20 season ticket would appeal to Albion fans, to use on match days, letting them park in Stanmer (if the stadium is built).

So much for all the nonsense about fans arriving by bus and train. The road into the park will not be able to cater for both football and other traffic wishing to use the park at the same time. No prizes for guessing who will miss out.

Write to your local councillors or MP if you feel as strongly about this as we do.

-Mr and Mrs Streeter, Hove