Olivier's widow slams pier plan - Star appalled at promenade buildings

Adam Trimingham - The Argus Thursday, 28 February, 2002

The widow of Lord Olivier has attacked plans by developers for buildings at the West Pier in Brighton.

Actress Joan Plowright, who lived with the late actor in Brighton for many years, said: "I always loved Brighton seafront and so did he.

"It would be lovely to see the West Pier restored but I'm appalled to think of a commercial building rising so high above the promenade."

Opponents of the shoreline buildings have dubbed them carbuncles. They warn that, when the buildings are completed, strollers along the front would see the rising back view of a vast commercial complex rather than views across the sea.

Clive Buxton, who leads the Save Our Seafront campaign, said: "We all wish the pier to be restored but not at any cost.

"We would welcome a sensitive development which does not obliterate our views of the sea from this beautiful seafront."

Conservationist Derek Granger said: "The scheme is atrocious - monumentally hideous."