Thank god for Selma Montford. When I look at the disappointing developments in the past 30 years, I wish she had been there to stop these blights on our city.

You wonder how the Abbots block of flats was approved on the front east side of Regency Square.

Although, during the Prince Regent's time, you can imagine fishermen's wives tuttuting over the new seafront housing.

Possibly, a man such as Simon Fanshawe was pointing out then that this was progress, providing jobs and security, and also claiming Brighton had to be dragged into the 19th Century.

With hindsight, we know it would have been a mistake to block change then, as it is at the start of the 21st Century.

The biggest mistake would be to preserve the city in aspic and obstruct change. We urgently need the energy fresh, exhilarating architecture injects. We don't need a city without a plan, merely worshipping the past.

We need Simon leading us towards a city of economic prosperity and full employment. His way is to embrace change and rediscover the invention and boldness of the Regency period.

Will future generations say "Brighton used to be envied and now is crumbling" or will they tell us how well the Regency and Fanshawe styles complement each other?

-Roger Marlowe. Brighton