Standing in the graveyard of St Andrew's Church, Church Road, Hove, I marvel that we have a country village church surrounded on four sides by its original Victorian graveyard in our midst here in the 2lst Century, intact and peaceful, and a place of sanctuary for parishioners, dog-walkers and every passing member of the public.

But next door Tesco has removed a listed flint wall from the pavement's edge. The wall now stands threatened by reduction from six meters at its middle length down to 3.6 metres.

Tesco's commissioned arborist report of August 2002 recommends the tall poplars be reduced in height too.

How is this all possible? Apparently nobody put in an objection.

Maybe it is time Brighton and Hove City Council took on some of the financial responsibility for maintenance of what are, after all, public assets as well as Church assets?

Dwindling membership and income mean the likes of Tesco are free to rape our church and we really should not be allowing this.

Members of the public wishing to view plans can access them at Hove Town Hall's City Direct Counter quoting the plans number BH2003/00040/LB.

-Valerie Paynter, Hove