Show of support for pier pavilions

The Argus Friday, 17 May, 2002

MORE than half the people surveyed by the Brighton West Pier Trust are in favour of its plans to save the Grade I listed building.

There has been controversy over a proposal from the trust and developers St Modwen to put up two large pavilions either side of the pier.

The trust today issued a breakdown of the 1,633 residents who responded to its public consultation.

They replied through comment cards and emails and by visiting an exhibition on the pier which included a model.

The results showed 937 (57.3 per cent) were in favour, 630 (38.5 per cent) were against and 66 (four per cent) had no preference.

Dr Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the Brighton West Pier Trust, said: "These results demonstrate beyond doubt that a clear majority of Brighton and Hove residents are in favour of the West Pier restoration proposals. If this was a General Election, 57 per cent in favour would be a majority of landslide proportions.

"Not only do more than 57 per cent of those who responded to our consultation support the West Pier restoration plans, but support for the proposal is from right across the city, including in Brunswick and Seven Dials Wards.

"Even in Regency Ward, where we had the biggest response, opinion is divided pretty evenly.

"The silent majority of Brighton and Hove has spoken loud and clear. Residents support the West Pier restoration plans and want the council to give the go ahead."

Replies were received from residents living in 730 streets across the city and further afield, including all 26 wards in Brighton and Hove.

The largest response was from residents in Regency Ward which contains the historic pier.

Here there were 294 replies of which 133 (45 per cent) were in favour, 149 (50 per cent) against and 13 (four per cent) with no preference.

Responses were received from 113 residents of nearby Brunswick Ward of which 56 (49 per cent) were in favour and 49 (43 per cent) were against.

Neighbouring Ward of Seven Dials had a response from 86 residents of whom 52 (60 per cent) were in favour.

Overall there were majorities in favour of the proposals from residents in 21 wards.

They were Brunswick, Goldsmid, Hangleton, Hanover, Hollingbury, Marine, Moulsecoomb, Nevill, Patcham, Portslade North, Portslade South, Preston, Rottingdean, Seven Dials, St. Peter's, Stanford, Stanmer, Westbourne, Westdene, Wish, Woodingdean.

The results come on the day Save Our Seafront, the umbrella group against the pier pavilions plans, was handing in 2,000 letters of objection to the city council.