Pier plan public inquiry request

The Argus Friday, 23 November, 2001

OPPONENTS of plans for a seafront development are asking for them to be decided by the Government and not local councillors.

St Modwen will put in plans to Brighton and Hove City Council before Christmas for two leisure buildings on either side of the West Pier in Brighton.

It says the buildings are needed to bring in cash so restoration of the historic pier can be viable.

But opponents of the scheme, who live within view of the seafront, say the two buildings will be too big and bulky.

St Modwen aims to change the plans to meet some of the residents' fears before submitting them.

The Government can call in a decision on major applications for a public inquiry. This is the course the Regency Square Area Society wishes it to take.

Chairman Roger Hinton said: "This would be a major development in a conservation area directly affecting a Grade 1 listed building, the pier itself.

"The enabling development would be on land owned by the local council.

"We believe there could be a conflict of interest if the local authority was to make the planning decision alone."