INITIAL designs for the restoration of the crumbling arches in Madeira Terrace have been approved.

The MT30 project is the first phase in the restoration of the Victorian structure on Brighton seafront, which aims to restore at least 30 of the 151 arches.

The Grade II listed terrace has been closed to the public since 2012 after it became unsafe because of deterioration.

Concept designs by lead architects Purcell were approved by Brighton and Hove City Council’s policy and resources committee on Thursday and the project can now move to the next stage.

When the final designs are ready they will be submitted to the committee with associated costs and a request for permission to advertise tenders for contractors to carry out works.

Councillor Clare Rainey, lead member for the Madeira Terrace Project Board, said: “Although we are still early on in the restoration process, this go-ahead marks an important beginning in the restoration of our city’s historic arches.

“Our city’s communities are extremely passionate about the future of Madeira Terrace and we are all keen to know that plans for restoration are under way.

“After years of neglect, it is good to see that we have made such an excellent start, and I want to thank everyone for the part they’ve played in the positive moves being made on this project, as we now progress to the next stage. I look forward to seeing more of what is to come from the design architects, as will so many in our city who also want a future for the arches.”

Madeira Terrace is considered to be the longest cast iron structure in Britain and stretches 865 metres from the Aquarium Colonnade to the Volk’s railway maintenance building.

It has not yet been decided which arches will be restored first in the MT30 project. Three locations are being considered – the 41 arches immediately west of Concorde 2, the 39 arches at the west end of the terrace and the 33 arches immediately east of Concorde 2.

The report from Thursday’s meeting states that the restoration remains a “considerable challenge” due to “substantial costs”.

So far, £6.74 million has been secured for the full restoration, including £440,000 for three of the arches, which was raised by the Save Madeira Terrace crowdfunding campaign. The group has since raised an additional £21,000 through raffles.