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Brighton tower gets all clear
9:39pm Friday 30th March 2007
Work will begin on Brighton and Hove's flagship i360 tower in June after the Government gave the development final approval.
Groundwork for the 183-metre structure was set for months of delays after business rivals objected to the scheme.
But today the West Pier Trust, the team behind the i360, got the news they had been waiting 12 months to hear when the Department for Transport (DfT) gave its approval for the project.
A Victorian law covering the proposed site had stopped the land, at the base of the West Pier, being leased out for more than three years at a time.
The trust asked the DfT to alter the legislation to allow the i360 to be built on the seafront.
The Noble Organisation, which owns Brighton's Palace Pier, objected to the plans on the grounds the tower would increase competition along the seafront and have a negative affect on their profits.
But the DfT today backed the trust and gave permission for the i360 to be started.
Rachel Clark, general manager of the West Pier Trust, said: "It can only be that Noble were fearful of competition.
"A conservative estimate is that 500,000 visitors will come to the i360 every year. A significant proportion will go on the Palace Pier.
"It will benefit the whole of Brighton. There will be no loss.
"We were always confident the outcome would go our way. It's very good news."
Work to dismantle the shore-side part of the now-derelict West Pier will begin in June.
The i360 was designed by David Marks and Julia Barfield, the architects responsible for the London Eye.
It is estimated the tower will give a £10 million boost to the city's economy and create more than 100 jobs.
It will be double the height of Sussex Heights, which is currently the highest building in the city.
Visitors will be taken to the top of the tower in a giant pod. Views at the top will stretch for up to 25 miles.
Brighton and Hove City Council leader Simon Burgess said: "This has been the one thing holding this development up and making us nervous.
"It will be so nice to see one of these dramatic developments to really get going."
Coun Burgess said there had been concerns the architects would lose patience with the wait for approval and take the proposal elsewhere.
He said: "They could have taken it anywhere. The risk was them contemplating building somewhere else.
"This is fantastic news."
No-one at the Noble Organisation was available for comment when The Argus contacted them tonight.
What do you think? How much of an impact will the i360 have on tourism in the area? Add your comments below.
Your Say YourArgus
Dave, East Sussex says...
12:29am Sat 31 Mar 07
Larry, Bathtub says...
3:48am Sat 31 Mar 07
J. Knight, Brighton says...
7:05am Sat 31 Mar 07
Myke Rosenthal-English, Füssen;Deutschland says...
10:11am Sat 31 Mar 07
Seems like greed from the Noble organisation.
Paul, Brighton says...
11:05am Sat 31 Mar 07
A disgraceful act of arrogance that could potentially have robbed Brighton & Hove of such an exciting structure. Considering the i360 is supposed to attract thousands of new visitors, I do not see where Noble were coming from.
The right decision has now been made and I look forward to seeing the progress.
Gavyn Edmunds, Brighton says...
11:43am Sat 31 Mar 07
Patricia Maggs, Southwick says...
11:48am Sat 31 Mar 07
Oliver Hall, Worthing says...
12:54pm Sat 31 Mar 07
James Snodgrass, Brighton says...
1:41pm Sat 31 Mar 07
richard luxford, telscombe cliffs says...
4:07pm Sat 31 Mar 07
i do think however that...vechile/pedestrian access needs proper evaluation and local homes need protection from binoculars and the pervs who use them. oh! did i say i can't wait to asscend to the top.
Iain, Brighton says...
6:44pm Sat 31 Mar 07
jeff, Brighton says...
7:28pm Sat 31 Mar 07
As for the comment it may look ugly, it need not, Cities around the world have similar towers and they look great and become landmarks.
If we listen to all the loaning minnies Brighton will have nothing and nobody!
As for Noble, the Palace Pier is becoming an eye sore and perhaps they should abstain from their petty objections and get on with making the pier an alternative attraction to attract people who will spend their money there.
Some of the side shows and the fun fair look tired, new ideas and attractions are needed rather than objecting to others with new ideas.
Noble are in danger of attracting a backlash from locals, without their support Noble could find themselves having a difficult time.
Build the tower and let us get up there and enjoy the views.
Stevie, Brighton says...
9:07pm Sat 31 Mar 07
Paul Jones, Brighton says...
9:23pm Sat 31 Mar 07
Finally we'll have a great development on the seafront, that is bound to attract new visitors to our fair city!
No thanks to the Noble organisation which saw the destruction of our West Pier through their delays!
Their short sightedness is staggering, who do they think they are, apart from greedy profiteers!
Paul, Colorado says...
10:44pm Sat 31 Mar 07
Rob, Hove says...
11:53pm Sat 31 Mar 07
Patrick Dalton, Hove says...
10:41am Sun 1 Apr 07
Reg Moores, Brighton says...
10:08pm Sun 1 Apr 07
Roger Davis, West Midlands says...
10:46pm Mon 2 Apr 07
It's also great to hear so many people turning on the Noble Corporation. The Palace Pier was destroyed by them when they removed the old Theatre building. It's time for the people of Brighton and Hove to make it clear to these people that their presence in Brighton is not wanted. Perhaps the Argus could co-ordinate the campaign !
Audrey, Netherlands says...
6:23pm Tue 8 May 07
Your sayYourArgus
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annon, Brighton & Hove says...
10:37pm Fri 30 Mar 07
Must be one of the fastest planning applications to go through our council!
Maybe they actually support the project whole heartedly...shame they were un-able to support/assist the re-build of Te West Pier better!!!
Question - since when did the Noble's own Brighton sea-front??