News of four lager louts moving to Hove's genteel seafront would be enough to start net curtains in the more sedate squares twitching.

But the idea of four giant lager louts rivalling Big Ben among the deckchairs and ice cream stalls has prompted one resident to go several steps further, actually.

Ken Fines, a former borough planning officer for Brighton, is so horrified at plans for four skyscrapers proposed for the King Alfred site, he has set up campaign group HOVA - Heritage Over Vandalism, Actually.

Twenty years of retirement has failed to keep the sprightly 80-year-old away from what he sees as a battle to save his home city from ruin.

Mr Fines, Brighton Borough Council planning officer from 1974 to 1983, says he welcomes the importance of innovative architecture but believes the Karis/ING towers, which have been officially called "the four maidens", would be more appropriately termed "four lager louts".

He said: "I agree the development might attract more visitors but they will flock to Hove seafront not to admire one of the most stunning and inspiring projects in the world but to stand and gawp, just as they used to at circus freaks and public hangings."

Author of A History of Brighton And Hove, published last year, he says the design is in keeping with today's "tormented art forms", such as Damien Hurst's stuffed cows and Tracy Emin's unmade bed.

Based on the Latin name for the town, Mr Fines hopes HOVA will be a parent organisation through which individuals and small groups can channel their concerns.

Karis and ING were chosen by the council as the preferred developers last month but the plan, designed by Guggenheim Museum guru Frank Gehry, has yet to go before the city council's planning committee.

Mr Fines said: "The grotesque post-modern design is wholly unacceptable. The towers would be about half as tall again as Sussex Heights, the tallest building at present in the city.

"I have yet to meet anyone who approves. Reactions range from sheer disbelief, to 'it must be a joke', to horror."

A council spokesman said: "An economic analysis showed the Karis/ING scheme would inject the most money into the local economy, some £25m to £32m a year.

"The deal includes an undisclosed sum paid to the council and the authority would also get a share of any increase in the value of the scheme over time."

A spokesman for Karis said the firm would prefer not to comment on the new campaign group.

To contact HOVA, email group secretary Anita Bransbury (anita_bransbury@hotmail.com) or telephone Mr Fines on 01273 411342.