Pier trust says site is needed

The Argus Wednesday, 6 November, 2002

THE man in charge of restoring a historic pier says there has to be a commercial development at the shore end if the project is to succeed.

There has been opposition to plans for two large leisure buildings on either side of the West Pier in Brighton submitted by developers St Modwen.

Criticism has been particularly vehement from residents and the Noble Organisation, owners of the Palace Pier.

Dr Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the West Pier Trust, said the trust was trying to meet their interests as far as possible.

He said: "The restoration of the pier is dependent upon the creation of an enabling development of the scale proposed.

"People profess to be in favour of the restoration but they cannot accept either the necessary terms for that restoration or the social vitality it will bring to their part of the seafront."

Dr Lockwood said they had consulted with Save Our Seafront campaigners and had adjusted the plans to meet their objections.