Creators of a rival bid to save and transform the crumbling West Pier have insisted their vision is not an unrealistic fantasy.
Brighton and Hove city councillors are due to decide later this month on developers St Modwen's plans to rebuild the landmark structure.
But an alternative scheme unveiled by campaigners came under scrutiny at a packed public meeting last night.
Birch Restorations and Hove architects Lomax Cassidy and Edwards (LCE) told 300 people at the meeting at the Hilton Metropole hotel in Brighton that their scheme would preserve more seafront views than St Modwen's bulkier buildings.
Campaign group Save Our Seafront (SOS) is backing the plans and architect Nick Lomax said it would involve two large piazzas accessible by a bridge and walkway from the pier and Upper Promenade, and 50,000 sq ft for commercial use.
The pier would be raised about 4ft to beat rising sea levels and a covered walkway would run along it through the concert hall to the pavilion.
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