It's no fantasy say pier plan backers

Aidan Radnedge - The Argus Thursday, 6 February, 2003

CREATORS of a rival bid to save and transform the crumbling West Pier insisted last night that their vision is not just fantasy.

Brighton and Hove city councillors are due to decide later this month on developers St Modwen's plans to rebuild the landmark structure.

But an alternative scheme unveiled by campaigners came under scrutiny at a packed public meeting.

Birch Restorations and Hove architects Lomax Cassidy and Edwards claim their scheme will preserve more seafront views than St Modwen's bulkier buildings.

An outline bid for listed building consent to work on the concert hall and walkway was formally presented to the council yesterday.

But the West Pier Trust, which has backed St Modwen, says the rival scheme would take too long and lacks essential cash support.

About 300 people attended last night's meeting at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, almost opposite the decaying pier.

The audience was able to fire questions at a panel of the Birch bid's supporters, including commercial property specialists Graves Jenkins and Furneaux Stewart Design consultants.

Campaign group Save Our Seafront is backing the Birch Restorations plans and believes a 65,000 sq ft enabling development proposed by St Modwen would be an over-development.

Architect Nick Lomax said his alternative commercial development would be restricted to 50,000 sq ft.

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

The pier would be raised about 4ft to beat rising sea levels and a covered walkway would run along it through the concert hall to the pavilion.

Possible uses include a sea spa, conference rooms, shops, cafes and a hotel.

Mr Lomax has also suggested a towering light sculpture on the eastern side but admitted this could be scrapped if it proved unpopular.

He said: "This is not just a fantasy. There is still a long way to go for the St Modwen scheme.The important thing is to get it right.

"We just want the chance of a level playing field between our proposals and St Modwen's, and may the best team win."

He added they would rebuild the pier before starting work on the enabling development.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has promised £15 million towards restoration of the pier

Phil Graves, director of Brighton-based Graves Jenkins, estimated average rents for commercial space in its alternative development as £15 per square foot - lower than at Brighton Marina or the Aquarium Terraces.

He insisted there would be no attempts to replicate the amusement arcades and funfair rides of the Palace Pier.

And he said the pier and enabling development could be built for £21.8 million, compared to the St Modwen's estimate of £22.8 million.

Challenged on whether the new plans would further delay vital work, design consultant Ray Hole said they made no difference.

Dr Geoff Lockwood, chairman of the West Pier Trust, did not attend the meeting.

He said: "As someone who has spent the past seven-and-a-half years bringing the plans for the restoration of the West Pier to their present realistic state, I am not interested in playing the fantasy piers game."

But the alternative plans received a cautious welcome from many at last night's meeting.

Diana Patterson, of Arnold Street, Brighton, said: "I like the fact the scheme is smaller than the St Modwen's one.

"But why has it taken so long? We cannot wait until the pier falls into the sea. What will happen to all the money if this goes on much longer?"

Adrian Montford, of Preston Park, said: "This is better than the St Modwen scheme. It is perfectly feasible - even if the pier was blown away tomorrow, it has to be rebuilt anyway."

But members of Brighton Sailing Club feared both the St Modwen and the LCE developments would threaten its future.

One said: "The council has not consulted us, St Modwen has not consulted us and neither have this
lot."