Pier project faces design pressures

Adam Trimingham - The Argus Wednesday, 26 December, 2001

CHANGES are being made to controversial proposals for leisure buildings near a pier.

But they still have not found favour with residents who live near the West Pier in Brighton.

Developers St Modwen first proposed two buildings in July and said they were essential if the pier, a Grade 1 listed building, was to be restored and viable.

But the scheme was modified after residents and some amenity societies objected to its impact on the seafront.

Further consultation is taking place and the scheme is likely to be submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council in January.

Roger Hinton, chairman of the Regency Square Area Society, said: "The new scheme does look a bit different from the previous one.

"But the concept is still the same, major structures projecting above the upper promenade on either side of the pier."

He said there would be fewer but larger gaps in the buildings and the roof lines would be varied slightly.

Mr Hinton said walkways from the prom would tempt people through the buildings and could lead them on to the pier.

But he added: "The whole point of the exercise - a restored West Pier - will be hidden, as will the sea itself."

Mr Hinton said he hoped councillors would reject the scheme and added: "There has to be another way.

"The pier is too important to lose or hide behind a row of shops and cafes."

But Brighton West Pier Trust chief executive Geoff Lockwood said the buildings were essential for the pier project.

He thought that with some further amendments they would be broadly acceptable to the main amenity societies.

Dr Lockwood added: "They have made a number of changes to the scheme."

He said no building would be higher than the rock shop on the pier or Al Fresco restaurant nearby.

People would still be able to stroll along a serpentine path on the lower esplanade.

Dr Lockwood said the trust was leaving the design of the new buildings largely to its private sector partners, in conjunction with English Heritage and the council.

Regency Society Secretary John Small said members had seen only an outline proposal for the revised scheme.

He added: "We do appreciate what they have to do and wish them every success in producing an impressive piece of architecture."

Mr Small said the society realised there had to be shoreline development if the pier was to be restored but was concerned about the details, which had yet to be produced.

St Modwen was not available for comment.