I fully understand Mr McCready's frustration about solar panels (Letters, August 15). The issue of solar panels and conservation is one the Sustainability Commission has been concerned about and is trying to resolve.

With the large number of conservation areas in Brighton and Hove, we must tackle this problem if we are to get anywhere near implementing our sustainability strategy.

Officers and members of the planning committee have a duty to protect conservation areas and are bound to respect national planning legislation on conservation areas.

On the other hand, Mr McCready is absolutely right that we are entering a new era and if we do not move quickly on alternative energy sources much more than building aesthetics are ultimately threatened.

I hope the Government will alter legislation to fit with these new challenges.

In the meantime, I am urging conservation officers to search for a solution, including talking to solar panel producers to come up with a design which would be acceptable on any roof.

I live in Hanover and have had a solar hot water system for the past five years. (It is on the back roof but I realise that, depending on the position of the house, that is not always the best place.)

I would urge anyone who is thinking of installing a solar hot water system not to be discouraged and to talk to the development control officers of the council to get advice.

-Joyce Edmond-Smith, convenor Sustainability Commission, Brighton and Hove City Council