While there were valid concerns about the rejected development at Brighton Marina, it's a shame the visionary aspect of the project's transport proposals were lost in the debate.

While most things can always be improved, Andrew Goodall is like a breath of fresh air among developers in not seeking to cram in as many car parking spaces as possible.

Cynics might say this is because it costs him less but the fact he was prepared to fund major improvements to pedestrian and cycling facilities, public transport and to provide a sizeable car pool, goes to show he isn't just concerned about money.

With climate change one of the biggest - if not the biggest - global issue of the moment, we need to change our lifestyles and over-dependence on the car and do it now. We can't sit back and prevaricate or we will suffer the consequences.

As a city by the sea and also a UN peace city, we owe it to ourselves and the world to reduce our carbon emissions and our reliance on oil - the real reason we went to war in Iraq.

Investment has already led to large increases in the city's levels of cycling and bus use.

We are also being urged to take more exercise in order to improve our fitness and health, which not only makes us feel better but also saves the NHS money.

Our streets are already too full of cars. The transport plans which were proposed at the marina were common sense.

Whatever now happens, I hope that, for all our sakes, Andrew Goodall doesn't abandon Brighton and Hove or his transport vision.

If we are going to develop in a sustainable way, then we will need developers who are brave enough to turn conventional thinking on transport upside down.

Here is a developer who was prepared to invest in Brighton and is confident he can sell homes without car parking spaces.

I hope the planning committee and other developers recognise this.

-Chris Todd, Brighton and Hove and Mid-Sussex Friends of the Earth, Brighton