With reference to your headline "King Alfred plans in disarray" (The Argus, April 19), why has it taken so long for Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) to become aware of the financial viability of this scheme?

A great deal of money, time and effort have been invested by all those involved since the original competition several years ago. It will eventually cost us, the council tax payers, a considerable sum, especially if BHCC have to start all over again.

I now feel fully justified in writing to The Argus last year (Letters, October 5, 2005) questioning the financial viability of this scheme.

This was after Karis put out a publicity leaflet where they explained there would be 472 flats available at market value, 282 flats available for affordable homes at the equivalent of 50 per cent of market value and that the total development cost would be £290 million.

Analysing these figures, after allowing a reasonable profit margin, this is the equivalent of Karis having to realise an average figure of about £600,000 as the market value of each flat.

I asked the question then: "How can Karis proceed with this project based on these figures?".

Please not by reducing the number of affordable flats or by shrinking the size of the leisure centre and most definitely not by asking us to contribute towards the leisure centre.

-Colin Beard, Hove