by Nick » 06 Feb 2003, 21:46
Yes, I do think that the planners give Brighton Pier a very hard time, without much justification. It seems that the owners have to go to a public inquiry to get any development on the pier. Yet it is a difficult business in a difficult location (i.e. on the end of a pier), and I really do think that the council should offer them more support. If you can't have big rides on an amusement pier in a place like Brighton, then where can you have them? The council needs to be a little less short-sited. They talk about impact on a listed building (i.e. the pier), but these rides do no damage to it, and in years to come can be removed without any lasting harm to the pier structure. Yet they bring people onto the pier who spend money and ensure the listed structure is well-maintained (which it always seems to be).
It is a bit of a bad week for them, what with planning permission refused and a fire. I hope they appeal the decision.