Bedford Square in Brighton is probably prettier than it has ever been in its 200-year history, especially the garden, notwithstanding the unflattering view of it you printed (The Argus, July 13).

The residents loved its mature quirkiness with its exotic shrubs and romantic little nooks and the overwhelming majority of them rejected the council's plans to "restore" the garden to a characterless, flat plot.

Once the council accepted this, it responded positively, planting trees and more shrubs where there were big gaps and regularly maintaining the garden.

It is also renovating the existing understated fencing which doesn't overwhelm the foliage and shut off the garden from the rest of the square, as the tall spiky railings tend to do in garden squares elsewhere.

Cars are now off the pavements, rubbish is less of a problem now the black bins are discreetly in place so now it's up to the residents to make the best of what the council has provided, although no doubt still more could be done and there's no room for complacency.

But let's count our blessings - this "Cinderella" must have something for Bedford Square draws people from other areas of town just to come to sit and enjoy its unique atmosphere and charm.

-Brian Fogarty, Bedford Square, Brighton