i360 tower 'mired in red tape'

Futuristic plan hit by Whitehall bureaucracy

Simin Barrett - The Argus Friday, 15 December, 2006

Fears have been raised that Government red tape could delay the opening of the Brighton Eye observation tower.

Work is due to begin on the futuristic 172m structure in spring but the West Pier Trust, which owns the site, is still waiting for the Government to approve final planning permission.

The Noble Organisation, which runs the Palace Pier, objected to a harbour revision order being granted on the grounds it would increase competition on the seafront and adversely affect the pier's profits.

The tower, designed by the architects of the London Eye and known as the i360, is predicted to attract 500,000 visitors a year, boost the city's economy by an estimated £10 million and create more than 100 jobs.

Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the West Pier Trust, said: "We are annoyed that we are still waiting for the Government to determine this decision which should have been made by now following the public inquiry in February.

"We expected a decision in September, then November and now January. If the delay goes on for longer that another six weeks it could put back the date work starts on the project.

"We are sure the decision has not been delayed because of problems with our case, which is sound. It is just a case of Government bureaucracy.

"Noble's fears are unfounded. The council and independent consultants agreed that the i360 would not take any of their share of the leisure pound and, if anything, would attract more people to the city and the seafront."

Councillors, conservation groups and tourist chiefs have all backed the i360, Britain's highest observation tower, which would transport visitors up to 139m in an enclosed pod, providing panoramic views.

The pod, with a capacity of 125 people, would be more than nine times the size of a London Eye capsule.

Rachel Clark, the trust's general manager, said: "We have made frequent inquires to the Government to check on the progress and we are just hoping for the best.

"We have been assured that this delay is not out of the ordinary so we still await the decision."

The Department for Transport told The Argus a decision will not be made until "early next year".

No one from Noble was yesterday available to comment.