The chief executive of the Brighton West Pier Trust has defended the pier's restoration against criticism.

Dr Geoff Lockwood said an attack on the project by the Palace Pier boss, David Biesterfield, last week was an "unwelcome surprise". Dr Lockwood said he would talk to the Noble Organisation, which owns the Palace Pier, to ensure good relations between the two piers as the 21st Century seafront economy depended on them.

He said the West Pier needed public money to be restored 25 years after it was shut. Dr Lockwood said Mr Biesterfield's comments may have been an attempt to deflect controversy over Noble's decision to change the name of the Palace Pier to Brighton Pier.

Dr Lockwood said a restored West Pier would bring in more people to Brighton, some of whom would also visit the Palace Pier. He said: "Plans for activities on the restored heritage West Pier would not be in direct competition with the highly successful funfair on the Palace Pier. Historically, they have always appealed to different markets."

Dr Lockwood said Noble had previously welcomed plans to restore the West Pier. David Biesterfield, a director of the Noble group, attacked Lottery funding for the scheme. Mr Biesterfield said Brighton would not be able to support two piers, and added his company would be facing unfair competition.

He added: "I suspect last week's outburst represents either a temporary blurring of its vision or it was an attempt to deflect public attention from the controversial change of name of the Palace Pier."

The time it was taking to deliver the project was because private sector partners were involved who wanted to make sure the West Pier restoration was viable. Dr Lockwood said the attack was not warranted because of strong public backing in Brighton for the restoration. He added: "Ripples of controversy will not shake that support, but they don't help the nerves of some of the partners."