As I commended Valerie Paynter's plea for due consideration to be given to infrastructure in development plans and am also actively campaigning against the King Alfred scheme, John Foley concludes I must be trying to stop any development whatsoever (Letters, September 11).

John is entitled to his views,but I must assure him nothing could be further from the truth.

As a retired town planner (former chief planning officer of Brighton), I just want to see the implementation of a traditional planning system in which proposals for essential population growth and housing are integrated with provision for the full range of services which would be needed, not least the education of the young and the care of the elderly.

John refers to additional homes required by the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) but it this very body which is now pressing the Government to allow for the cost of infrastructure.

As for the King Alfred scheme, I would be strongly opposed to any proposal which would have a similar detrimental effect on the precious townscape of our city.

John is clearly in favour of high-density development in many areas, apparently even where perfectly good houses would have to be demolished to make way for it.

I am not opposed to high-density per se but there must be the right balance between houses and flats.

I am sure the former are still most in demand.

The effect on our townscape must, of course, be considered as well.

As for my being a selfish Nimby, this really is a new one.

By John's definition, it would appear anyone who exercises the right to object to any planning application anywhere in the city deserves this derogatory title. My "back yard"

in Hangleton is a fair way from the King Alfred.

  • Ken Fines, Northease Drive, Hove