Pier takes its case to Europe

The Argus Monday, 7 October, 2002

A BATTLE between two piers is being taken to the European Court of Justice.

The Palace Pier in Brighton is contesting the award of National Lottery cash to the West Pier for its restoration.

Earlier this year, the Heritage Lottery Fund released £1.6 million to the Brighton West Pier Trust to help it carry out repairs to the Grade I listed pier.

David Biesterfield, a director of the Noble Organisation which runs the Palace Pier, said: "We are taking this to the European court."

He said a legal case would be put to the court contending the funding was not valid for a commercial organisation.

Dr Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the West Pier Trust, said: "We remain confident they do not have a winnable case."

The Palace Pier is also challenging a harbour revision order that will be necessary for shoreline development on either side of the West Pier to go ahead.

It took more than a year to win the funding following consultations with lawyers and the EC.

The application to the European court will also take a long time to be resolved.

Later this year, the city council will have to decide on the revised application by St Modwen for the shoreline buildings.

The bid is being opposed by the pressure group Save Our Seafront.

The West Pier, which closed in 1975, was originally promised lottery money of £14 million but had to reapply when the commercial partner changed.