Opposition to pier plan shows its force

The Argus Saturday, 18 May, 2002

THOUSANDS of people have written letters opposing development near the West Pier in Brighton.

Developers St Modwen, backed by the Brighton West Pier Trust, have put plans to Brighton and Hove City Council for two large pavilions on either side of the listed pier.

They say the leisure development is needed to make restoration of the Victorian pier viable.

However, Save Our Seafront, a group of amenity societies and residents, delivered 2,224 letters against the scheme to council offices in Hove Town Hall.

Committee member Sue Paskins said another 500 would be delivered next week and there could still be more to come.

The demonstrators stood outside the town hall with placards saying Save Our Seafront, No Views Is Bad News and A Development Too Far.

Ms Paskins said: "The buildings would be almost 150 yards long, stretching from the Metropole Hotel to Al Fresco.

"They would block views of the seafront apart from a small gap opposite Regency Square.

"They would also affect views from The Grand hotel. It would be a nightmare.

"We are all for restoring the pier. We have shown through drawings by architect Nick Lomax how it could be done.

"He has produced plans for a building of the same size which does not rise above the level of King's Road."

Ms Paskins said the development would be three storeys high along a stretch of the seafront and was unacceptable.

She said: "The Palace Pier will be ready with its scheme if this is allowed to create a precedent and we will then have development all along the seafront."