WORKERS at a seafront development disregarded rules and could have damaged Grade II listed architecture, says a leading architect.

Hoardings at the Soho House development site on Brighton seafront were put up at the request of Brighton and Hove City Council – but were attached to listed railings.

They remained in place for two months between July and September.

Professor John Watts, the leading architect behind Brighton Marina, complained to the council to warn of potential damage but was told it was “not too concerned”.

Prof Watts said: “The balustrading has to be protected instead of being used as a structuring.

“Somebody has slipped up somewhere – the heritage team should have been advised.”

Prof Watts said that the cast iron used in the railings can handle compression, but struggles when being pushed or pulled horizontally.

He added that pressure would have been applied to the railings when high winds hit the hoarding and had it not been reported and moved forward, high winds in the winter could have caused considerable damage.

The professor was told by the council it did not believe the railings were at risk of damage.

Heritage England said whoever put the hoarding in place should have applied for listed building consent from the council.

The council has not confirmed it received an application.

The current hoardings, which have now been moved three metres forward, have been put up by Knights Brown.

The company said it was not involved in the previous hoardings.

Richard Carroll, honorary secretary of the Regency Society, said: “It is concerning

because if the wind got hold of it, it could have caused some damage.

“They would have needed to go through proper procedure and controls and if it’s been put up without that, it is a planning breach and subject to enforcement action.

“We are pleased the development is progressing but we would ask the developer to respect the listed structures.”

Brighton Seafront Regeneration Ltd could not be reached for comment.