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Pier plan's pie in the sky

Architect's vision that won't block out view of the sea

The Argus Tuesday, 4 February, 2003

PLANS to save the stricken West Pier have caused a wave of controversy. Now a firm of Brighton architects has come up with an alternative, supported by opposition group Save Our Seafront. But are they a viable substitute or a pipe dream? FAY MILLAR speaks to the architects and protesters to find out.

TWO towers rise up to the sky and dominate the seafront in the alternative vision of the West Pier redevelopment.

Like two great monoliths, they are equal in height with the Regency buildings behind and act as a focal point for the whole project.

Architects Lomax Cassidy Edwards (LCE), describe them as "an eye-catching vertical light sculpture, which will act as a signature for the development but which will still retain the view of the sea".

No doubt it will please the artistically inclined as a monument to innovative 21st Century design but will the residents and tourists a long the promenade really want to look at the sea through two giant bits of coloured perspex rising up in a V-shape?

In addition, it is highly unlikely the alternative development will ever get past the design stage.

Plans for two large, shoreline leisure buildings, proposed by commercial developers St Modwen and the Brighton West Pier Trust as a way of making the restoration viable, are to go before Brighton and Hove City Council this month.

Birch Restorations, which is named after the pier's architect Eugenius Birch and has prepared the alternative vision, has yet to make a formal application.

St Modwen's design may be much more controversial and considered too big and bulky by groups such as Save Our Seafront (SOS) but it is much closer to becoming a reality after extensive consultation and modification.

Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the West Pier Trust, said:

"Theirs is a fantasy pier. We are sticking to our plans.

"They aren't just the best, they are the only way to restore the pier.

"It has taken us years to get this far."

Dr Lockwood said Birch's plans did not have the backing of English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the city council.

That would take years to achieve and the West Pier would simply not survive.

However, Clive Buxton, leading the SOS campaign, said: "Dr Lockwood has been saying this is the last chance to save the West Pier but in fact the reality is only about ten per cent of it can be saved.

"I think the delay is worth it if it isn't going to spoil the seafront and set a precedent for seafront development."

Mr Buxton said they all wanted to see the West Pier restored but did not support St Modwen's design because it impinged on the seafront.

He said: "At last we believe we can endorse an elegant and appropriate development which won't obliterate views of the sea and will positively enhance the West Pier's setting."

The alternative design, which has been modified, was first backed by the Eugenius Consortium several years ago.

It was shelved after the main backer, Prestbury, refinanced itself but has now been resurrected.

Those behind the new bid include builder John Regan, who has won conservation awards and is responsible for more than 500 properties in Brighton, ex-boxer Chris Eubank and Nick Leslau of Prestbury and Corus, formerly British Steel.

It would include two large piazzas, accessible by a bridge and walkway from the pier and Upper Promenade and 50,000sq ft for commercial use.

On the eastern side there would be a translucent sculptured canopy, designed to appear as if it were floating 8ft above the upper promenade level and, of course, the two towers.

It would be about half the size of St Modwen's and would also be largely tucked away at Lower Esplanade level.

The pier itself would be raised to beat rising sea levels and a covered walkway would run along it, going through the concert hall to the pavilion.

The deck would be widened and it would be possible to walk from the Regency Square underground car park under cover.

Possible uses include a sea spa, conference rooms, shops and a centre for showing the Brighton story.

LCE believe they have found a sensitive solution to the problems of the enabling development.

They are convinced the new plans are commercially viable, visually discreet and will enhance the setting of the West Pier itself.

Hove-based architect Nick Lomax has been working with London-based firm Bennetts and Furneaux Stewart Design.

He said: "Like every Brighton resident, I was saddened to see the storm-damaged pier. Our team has worked round the clock to develop an action plan to rescue this amazing historic monument."

He stressed the two towers were just an idea but he felt the development did need a signature such as a sculpture to celebrate the regenerated West Pier. They also carried a practical application of venting air from the buildings above the road level.

He said: "They would be lit up at night and perhaps more clear during the day. Even if they were solid, and I am not saying it would be, it wouldn't have the same impact as the St Modwen development."

Sue Paskins, of SOS, said: "With this design we will have the sea views. What is the point of restoring the pier if you can't have sea views and won't see the West Pier?"

Selma Montford, of the Brighton Society, said: "I was very impressed by it, first of all by the thinking behind it and the emphasis on rebuilding the pier rather than pretending that it's a restoration and also because they had worked out how much enabling development was needed rather than what was demanded."