Rival pier criticises £1.6m funding

The Argus Tuesday, 30 April, 2002

PIER bosses have condemned the award of National Lottery funding to a potential rival.

The Argus revealed on Saturday that a grant of more than £1.6 million had been made to the West Pier in Brighton, mainly for emergency repairs to the Grade I listed structure.

It took months for the fund to make its decision after a legal objection by the Palace Pier on the grounds of unfair competition.

The Palace Pier, the biggest tourist attraction in the South-East, is also a listed building and receives no lottery funding.

David Biesterfield, a director of the Noble Organisation, which owns the pier, said: "We think it is the wrong decision."

His company would continue to oppose further applications made by the Brighton West Pier Trust and developers St Modwen for cash to restore the structure.

He said: "It is unreasonable and unfair that this commercial development should receive lottery funding."

The Palace Pier would also oppose controversial plans for two large pavilions on either side of the West Pier at the shore end which are being proposed to make the development financially viable.

Mr Biesterfield said it would be cock-eyed if the development, which would have big implications for future seafront development, was approved by councillors.