As anybody familiar with, for example, New York will know, a city's nooks and quiet places are as much a part of its fabric as anything else.

Such a thing in Hove is the Sensory Garden at the back of the Connaught Centre.

This is of tremendous benefit to blind and otherwise disadvantaged people in our community.

The scents, textures and sounds available in this sedulously maintained garden provide more than most of us can ever imagine.

And what has now happened? Half of this garden has been ripped up to make way for Tesco's services and piping.

Here we have yet another example of big business being allowed to ride roughshod over the community.

Not only is the garden rudely truncated but also the value of the remaining section will be furthered degraded by the conflicting noises and smells from across the wall. Something marvellous is rendered useless.

Is it any wonder that, with an election looming, there is a palpable, even financial, swing behind the Lib Dems and Greens?

-Christopher Hawtree, Westbourne Gardens, Hove