A design team led by the former head of the Millennium Dome has announced plans to transform Brighton Marina by giving a fast food restaurant and superstore a facelift.

PY Gerbeau's X-Leisure and Parkridge Estates, who between them run the marina, have launched a public consultation on a plan to rebuild the western sector of the marina and transform it from a disjointed mish-mash of buildings into a location of international renown.

Asda and McDonald's are expected to be knocked down and incorporated into new developments which could involve new space for residential, commercial and retail use.

During its seven years of ownership, Parkridge built the Hotel Seattle and Waterfront terrace of bars and restaurants.

X-Leisure acquired the commercial areas of the marina from Parkridge in 2004. The two companies have since continued to work together.

Other parts of the western sector up for regeneration include the Asda car park, the roundabout near the base of the ramp access, the petrol station and cycle and pedestrian paths.

Explore Living, the development arm of Laing O'Rourke, has been appointed to push forward regeneration of the marina and ensure that the different plans are linked up to create a district with a coherent identity.

Philip O'Callaghan, managing director of Parkridge, said: "Brighton Marina has seen many setbacks in terms of its development since its extraordinary construction in the Sixties.

"We believe that any development within the marina should be able to confidently claim that it will improve the public realm, which means the provision of public and recreational areas, pedestrian priority, street improvements and the control of traffic.

"We must also demonstrate that we can enhance the shopping and leisure experience in the marina as well as improve its building and architectural flow."

The developers are asking for people's views on the master plan for improving the marina - adopted by Brighton and Hove City Council in 2003 - and on what improvements they would like at the marina. They hope to submit a planning application in December and start work in June next year.

Explore Living's policies include giving disadvantaged people construction jobs, employee training for qualifications and, whenever possible, sourcing of supplies, services and materials from the areas in which it operates.

The consultation is separate to Brunswick Developments' planning application for a £235 million development of 853 new homes.

The centrepiece of the scheme would be a 40-storey skyscraper. There would also be a swing bridge allowing people to walk or cycle all the way around the marina, seven restaurants and bars, a doctor's surgery and a multi-purpose sports court.

The development is a reworking of a proposal which councillors rejected in August last year.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006