Rival pier's bid to stop restoration

Adam Trimingham - The Argus Wednesday, 28 May, 2003

A FRESH legal battle could further delay work to restore Brighton's dilapidated West Pier.

Owners of the Palace Pier in Brighton are making a new challenge to the rival pier's restoration bid.

The Noble Organisation is seeking a judicial review to contest a decision by the Government not to hold a public inquiry into the scheme.

In February, Brighton and Hove City Council gave permission for the Grade I listed pier to be restored to its former glory.

The controversial part of the permission was two large onshore pavilions needed to make the scheme viable.

Soon afterwards the Government decided not to call in the scheme for a hotly-contested inquiry.

Now Noble wants to challenge that ruling in the High Court.

Director David Biesterfield said: "It is outrageous that they didn't call it in. It must be properly scrutinised.

"It is not viable. It is not a proper restoration. It is wholly misconceived."

Mr Biesterfield said he sympathised with the Brighton West Pier Trust over the two fires caused by arsonists, which damaged the structure, and said: "After all, we had one ourselves."

However, he said: "It is really time to reconsider the decision not to call in the scheme."

Noble already has two other challenges to the West Pier restoration.

One is to the Harbour Revision Order which is necessary before any work can begin on the West Pier.

It has also gone to the European courts to stop National Lottery money being used on a building which will have a commercial use.

Rachel Clark, general manager of the trust, said: "We were expecting this. They are using every means possible to challenge the restoration.

"It is a nuisance but we are confident that the outcome will be in our favour."

A spokesman for the city council said: "We're informed as an interested party. It's not an action against us but against the Government.

"It sounds like it could take months and months. So any hold-ups now aren't the council's doing.

"We had been working with the West Pier on meeting all the conditions of the planning permission so work could start as soon as possible.

"We would be very concerned about any moves which might jeopardise that.

"We remain convinced that a restored West Pier would boost tourism and help sustain jobs."