THE skills of the private sector should be harnessed to save Brighton’s unique seafront landmark, opposition councillors have said.

Green convenor Phelim MacCafferty said private firms could help unlock the project to save the Madeira Terraces and cited the “bold” vision of architect Paul Nicholson who unveiled an alternative vision for the seafront last year.

The Chalk Architecture director has drawn up designs for a green walkway on top of luxury flats with shops, bars, restaurants, workshops and offices on the ground floor.

Council bosses said the authority was looking to harness local talent to help deliver the £24 million restoration scheme but public funding would be needed to cover the risks of the scheme and ensure it remains a public space.

The call comes as councillors discussed a newly produced Madeira Drive Regeneration Framework which outlines how the area can be “reconfigured and reinvigorated”.

The document reveals the seafront strip requires £15 million in transport and access investment in addition to the eight-figure bill for the restoration of the grade II listed structure.

Conservative group leader Geoffrey Theobald said Madeira Terraces was unique to Brighton and one of the city’s most iconic sights which most residents would like to see reinstated as it is.

Cllr Theobald questioned why money from the imminent £20 million sale of King’s House could not be re-allocated to kickstart the Terraces project.

Nick Hibberd, council executive director, said the capital receipts from the sale of the council’s former seafront headquarters were already allocated to other projects.

Cllr MacCafferty said: “I appreciate this is an increasingly stubborn problem with repeat scenarios which we just don’t seem to be able to get this right.

“With a shrinking pot of money from national and local government, I would not usually advocate involving private sector more but how can we look to them help us to unlock stubborn problems city faces, we may need few partners who may be able to help us unlock this.

“I’m glad to hear we are going to upturn lots of stones, we have to have a bold vision some of that will have to include working with architects with brilliant ideas.”

Mr Hibberd said it was important the council engaged with businesses, amenity societies and residents and the council was listening and trying to harness local talent.

He said the authority acknowledged any solution was likely to require some private investment and a call to investors for design and funding solutions had been made.

Council leader Warren Morgan said there was a great deal of public interest in restoring The Terraces and an e-mail address he had set-up where ideas could be submitted and already attracted some expressions of interest in overseeing the project.