If Hove Up hopes to become a creditable support group for the King Alfred redevelopment, its should get its facts right first (Letters, February 23).

Its "convenor", Richard Coleman, said English Heritage had written a supportive letter to Brighton and Hove City Council about the redevelopment, in which it says it has no concerns over the size of the scheme or the impact it would have on the heritage of the surrounding area.

This is simply not true. I have a copy of the letter, in which English Heritage points out there are significant uncertainties surrounding the proposals, most on exactly these issues.

In fact, it recommends the application is not approved until the issues it has identified have been addressed by the applicants.

Under the heading "next steps", it states it considers the implications of the application so significant, it would like the opportunity to advise further on any revised proposals.

Mr Coleman went on to say there is little in the way of heritage assets near the site and what there is will not be harmed. Has he actually visited Hove seafront?

This week, acting on the advice of planning officers, the council's planning committee refused to grant planning permission to the developers of the 12-storey Texaco application, which is next door to the King Alfred site, giving 14 reasons why.

The first was that it would compromise the quality of the local environment and would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the old Hove or the Cliftonville conservation areas.

Maybe Hove Up needs lessons in local history and conservation.

Mr Coleman also admitted the images of the scheme were poor and assumed English Heritage had been shown better-quality ones.

If there were better images available, no doubt Karis, the developer, would have made sure they had appeared in The Argus by now.

Has Mr Coleman seen the exhibition at Hove Town Hall? As far as I am aware, nothing has changed.

What you see there is what you are likely to get, unless this scheme goes back to the drawing board. Remember, all we ever wanted on this site was a new sports centre for the residents of Brighton and Hove.

-Councillor Averil Older, Central Hove ward (Conservative)