Marina skyscraper put on hold (From The Argus)

Marina skyscraper put on hold

1:30pm Tuesday 30th September 2008 in

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A £250 million redevelopment of Brighton Marina has been put on hold until the housing market improves.

Brunswick Developments said the project would not proceed until turbulence in the economy eased.

The Argus first revealed the scheme was under review in April this year.

Now Brunswick director Andrew Goodall has said the redevelopment of the south-west corner of the marina which includes 853 flats and almost 2,000sqm of shops and leisure space, has been put on hold.

Plans included the 40-storey Roaring Forties building, which would be the tallest in Sussex.

Developers were given planning permission in June 2006.

But falling property prices, a lack of credit and a gloomy economy have thrown into doubt a series of schemes in the city.

The King Alfred scheme in Hove hangs in the balance after investor ING pulled out, while others such as the i360 tower and Black Rock ice rink have been delayed.

But today’s news will come as a blow, as the outer marina redevelopment was the major project in Brighton and Hove which was most advanced with builders were expected to be on site earlier this year.

Mr Goodall said: “We are talking to different people on the funding side.

“I do not think it is appropriate to build at the moment.

“It is going to get built, but when the market is there.

“It would not be sensible to start the development at this time.”

Delays have led the city council to look again at a blueprint for improving nearby Madeira Drive.

Brunswick Developments was to provide almost £600,000 to spruce up the area once building had been completed.

As part of the agreement, a series of improvements had been planned, including a £500,000 seafront walkway between the Banjo Groyne and the marina.

But the council has had to create a new masterplan and look for other sources of funding for better street lighting, more CCTV cameras, replacing concrete barriers with bollards and a heritage centre for Volks Railway.

Explore Living has submitted plans for 1,294 flats, new shops, an enlarged and modernised Asda superstore and a new transport interchange at the marina.

Buildings proposed range from one to 28 storeys high in the inner harbour area.

The major scheme covers six main sites – the Asda superstore, the petrol station, the estates office, McDonald’s, the eastern end of the multi-storey car park and a site next to the western sea wall.

The planning application has yet to be decided.