I read with interest the article by Adam Trimingham (The Argus, April 16).

His assertion that Brighton and Hove City Council is paralysed with "fear, rancour and some stupidity" beggars belief. The council is elected to represent the interests of the city's inhabitants.

We have been subject to a lot of words lately suggesting that all new development in the city is necessary, desirable and forward-looking.

Our elected representatives have a difficult balancing act, considering applications on their merits and deciding what is and what is not appropriate.

Every stack of rabbit hutchsized flats dressed up to look glitzy by some superstar architect should just not be given the go-ahead. Remember and learn from the disasters of the last century. How many visions of utopia have already been demolished?

We require good developments, of suitable size and nature, to meet our requirements for growth and economic success in the future.

And it would be disastrous to overload the city with huge new complexes while its infrastructure is unprepared.

We also need to ensure the city's growth and development is sustainable in a more difficult future.

What use is a 20-floor block of flats in 25 years' time when there's no electricity to run the lifts?

The planning authorities must decide what is appropriate, according to the information they are given and the planning policies in place. And if we're not happy, we can vote them out.

I came to Brighton not to die but to live, Mr Trimingham, and I am intent on avoiding death by bad development. I hope the council will help me do just that.

-Stephen R Smith, Portslade