Bird call over pier revamp

The Argus Friday, 30 August, 2002

THE development of Brighton's West Pier should cater for birds that live there, the city council has been told.

Developer St Modwen has submitted a planning application for buildings by the entrance to the pier but an environmental assessment must be held before the council considers it.

This will include examining the impact of the new buildings and a restored pier on the immediate surroundings as well as the effect on wildlife living on or under the pier.

English Nature has told the council it is concerned about peregrine falcons, which successfully nested on the pier earlier this year, and starlings 50,000 of which are said to have nested there in recent years.

The conservation watchdog said measures to keep the birds there should be considered as part of the proposals. One idea was to include perches under the revamped pier.

It also wants work carried out so birds would not collide with glass areas in the development.

Marine flora and fauna that has developed below the pier should also be protected.

Councillors are expected to agree to the scope of the assessment at a meeting on Thursday.