Brighton and Hove has been warned its reputation as a city ripe for investment could be lost unless it embraces bold new architectural designs.

Award-winning architect Jim Roberts, bidding to lead a £300 million revamp of the Brighton Centre, has added his voice to a chorus of architects and business leaders who fear the city could return to its days as a downmarket bucket-and-spade resort because of a presumption against major development.

Speaking as he released new pictures of the development, Mr Roberts warned Brighton and Hoves reputation as a buzzing city which attracts investors was in jeopardy.

Economists say prosperity in Brighton and Hove generates an economic boost across Sussex.

Mr Roberts, who designed the Rotunda, part of Birminghams city centre redevelopment, said: Brighton has the potential to be one of the most exciting destinations in Europe but because the city is refusing to embrace change it is not becoming the thrilling place it really could be.

Mr Roberts, who says he has the backing to build a casino, hotel, a giant leisure complex over the promenade on Kings Road and refurbishment of the Brighton Centre, warned the city was in danger of being left behind its rivals.

He was backed today by business leaders and developers, worried that the soaring costs involved in applying for planning permission, coupled with the city councils rejection of the £235 million Roaring Forties towers, would result in architects and investors abandoning the city.

He said: We ought to be having these kind of buildings because Brighton is an exciting city full of forward-thinking people and unless the council pulls its finger out Brighton will be left behind its rivals.

In fact, it is already behind places like Blackpool, which is getting things like casinos and other exciting developments.

Tony Mernagh, executive director of Brighton and Hove Business Forum, said the bureaucracy involved in the planning process would guarantee no serious investment will come near Brighton and Hove for another 15 to 20 years and that architects were already looking outside the city for places to work.

He said We will suffer an entire lost generation in terms of the citys progress.

Gone are the days when local authorities could undertake grand building schemes to deliver the services the people have come to expect.

The Brighton Centre will need £300 million of private sector money to re-create a building that attracts the international conference trade. No public sector body has that kind of money.

Josh Arghiros, managing director of Karis, the developers behind the Frank Gehry-designed King Alfred centre, warned the citys architectural reputation would be put in jeopardy if ambitious schemes continue to be rejected.

He said: If the planning committee turns down scheme after scheme it worries people and then they lack the confidence to come up with bold and inspirational architecture.

The seafront King Alfred complex was approved by the city councils policy and resources committee in September last year after a development agreement was drawn up with Karis. Two rounds of public consultation have been carried out.

Mr Arghiros said the air of optimism in Brighton, which reached a peak last year when plans were revealed for Pleasure Island, a £500 million offshore paradise, was still as strong.

Influential figures including Roger French, managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, author and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe and hotelier Roger Marlowe, holder of the Outstanding Brightonian title and president of Brighton and Hove Hotels Association, warned last year that the city could become a third-rate seaside town if major development was continually blocked.

They argued that the only way to stop that happening was to say yes to bold and ambitious planning applications.

Mr Roberts has been battling for ten years to realise his major revamp of the whole area around the Brighton Centre.

His firm, Jara International, has the backing of a consortium ready to pour money into the scheme, which would also involve cable cars winging their way back and forth across the promenade.

One of the central features of the futuristic development would be a link with Churchill Square allowing shoppers direct access to the seafront.

Brighton and Hove City Council confirmed it is in confidential discussions with landowners over potential development of the Brighton Centre and its surrounding area.

Monday, April 10, 2006