Pier perils outlined

The Argus Saturday, 23 February, 2002

PEOPLE opposing plans for a new seafront development were told today of the perils they face.

Save Our Seafront is against two new buildings proposed on either side of the West Pier in Brighton.

Opponents are planning a colourful demonstration when the plans are officially revealed on Wednesday. They say the scheme is too big and obtrusive.

But Dr Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the Brighton West Pier Trust, said the development had to be on that scale to make restoring the pier viable.

He said: "They are misleading the citizens of Brighton and Hove with their contention that the pier can be restored with a much less intrusive enabling development.

"I know all the siren voices they are listening to and the details of their plans and they are wrong."

He said plans of the trust and developers St Modwen needed to be approved or the pier would never be restored.

"If the current plans are rejected, these campaigners face one certainty.

"The city will have to live with the West Pier rotting and sliding into the sea."