A leaflet describing proposals for the restoration of Britain's only Grade I listed pier is being distributed to residents.

Work on Brighton's West Pier will start in a year's time if planning permission is given for a controversial shoreline development.

The Brighton West Pier Trust is sending out 110,000 copies of the leaflet in a bid to raise public support for the proposals.

There has been strong opposition to the development of bars, restaurants, shops and leisure uses planned for land on either side of the pier by private sector partners St Modwen.

The leaflet says the development is essential to make the £30 million restoration viable.

Emergency preservation work would start later this year and the scheme should be completed by the summer of 2004.

The development has been designed as a series of glass pavilions complementing the pier and its architecture.

Existing walks would be maintained and there would be a southern extension of the promenade with direct views of the pier and the sea.

There would be no development on the pier itself but some views of the sea would be reduced.

The leaflet says the buildings by the West Pier would be unlikely to set a precedent for other development on the seafront and the alternative of retaining the West Pier as an elegant but decaying structure is not realistic.

It says: "In a few years' time, the structure would collapse into the sea and would need to be cleared at a cost of £2.3 million."

The need for development on the scale proposed cannot change but the detailed design can take into account constructive and practical comments.

Under the scheme, the pier would be be restored authentically. There is not enough space on the structure to accommodate commercial uses.

New development would provide funding for the maintenance and repair of the pier for the the next 150 years.

An exhibition of the new plans will be on display at the Brighton West Pier's offices on the pier between Wednesday April 17 and Tuesday April 23 between 10am and 5pm.

The leaflet includes a card for comments.