I read with some scepticism the Omega Institute's claims (Letters, October 11) regarding the risk posed by storms to Gehry's towers.

Meteorological prediction is not an accurate science. Claiming Brighton and Hove will be hit by several largescale storms of class two and above and at least one class four storm is misleading as to what we can or cannot know about future weather events.

We all know the Met Office cannot accurately predict the weather more than a few days away, so how the institute can claim such certain predictions is beyond me.

At best, leading meteorological scientists will only offer a percentage likelihood of a storm hitting any region.

The assertion by the Omega Institute that the 1953 flood resulted in a 10m-high storm surge also has to be questioned as the Met Office puts the height of the storm surge at 3.36m at its highest point at King's Lynn.

A 20m-high storm surge would break known records. Aside from this, if I was in a flood, a tall building would seem quite an appealing place to take refuge.

The Omega Institute says it is an environmental think-tank on green science and technology. Yet Argus readers shouldn't be tricked into thinking this grants it any scientific validity.

Perhaps the Omega Institute can offer evidence we will be hit by a category four storm. Without this, one is left to suspect the pseudo-scientist Mr G Ennis is behind the "report".

It is damaging to the environmental movement to have such wild fearmongering associated with it.

There may well be reasons for supporting or opposing the seafront developments but hyped fears about future weather patterns should not be one of them.

Think-tanks with overt political agendas, such as the Omega Institute, should not be trusted as impartial sources of scientific knowledge.

  • James Elsdon-Baker, chairman, Brighton branch, British Association for the Advancement of Science Regency Square, Brighton