As a Japanese professor of English at Atomi University, Japan, I have been regularly visiting England both informally and as part of my profession for the past quarter-century.

I have strong associations with Sussex, which I have visited many times to see friends and as a visiting scholar at the University of Sussex. My translation work of some of the writings of Virginia Woolf is lodged in the bedroom she slept in at Monks House, Rodmell. Lewes, Firle, Falmer and Charleston hold many fond memories.

Recently, I have been informed by friends about the community stadium Brighton and Hove City Council is proposing to build near the tiny historic village of Falmer, which will undoubtedly ruin the countryside there.

Since the Second World War, especially in the Eighties and Nineties, Japan has been silly enough to have developed every inch of its originally beautiful land into sheer ugliness, frequently for the profit motive. This phenomenon can be said to be universal. However, I hope my dear England will not follow the same path as ours and, in this case, restraint will be shown over well-meaning but misguided public spiritedness.

Out-of-town development, bringing extra traffic and hazards to country roads, surely is unwise and will forever spoil the charm of this part of Sussex. In this case, I'm hoping to hear the council has exercised discretion and put conservation before the public's demand for amusement.

-Professor Kayoko Muramatsu, Atomi University, Tokyo, Japan