Rival pier forces new delay to restoration

The Argus Wednesday, 18 September, 2002

A FRESH battle is set to be fought over plans to restore Brighton's derelict West Pier.

Last year, the rival Palace Pier objected to money from the National Lottery being granted for the pier's restoration.

Now the Noble Organisation, which owns the Palace Pier, has objected to the Government issuing a harbour revision order.

The order is required so the Brighton West Pier Trust can grant a long lease to developer St Modwen, which wants to restore the site and erect shoreline buildings on either side.

Roger Hinton, chairman of the Regency Square Area Society, said: "At least each new objection puts one more hurdle between the developers and their plans to ruin our seafront."

Dr Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the trust, said: "I can confirm the only objector to the proposed harbour revision order is the owner of the Palace Pier.

"It is using every opportunity it can locate in order to frustrate, or at least delay, the plans for the restoration.

"We are very confident the objection will not be accepted but due process to that end could take a few more months."

The Palace Pier is also supporting the Save Our Seafront campaign to get the development plans called in by the Government for a public inquiry.

David Biesterfield, a director of the Noble Organisation, was not available for comment.