This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/southern_counties/6039722.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Decision due for tall tower plan Decision due for tall tower plan
(30 minutes later)
A decision is being made on proposals to build one of the tallest buildings in Britain on the site of the derelict West Pier in Brighton.A decision is being made on proposals to build one of the tallest buildings in Britain on the site of the derelict West Pier in Brighton.
Councillors are considering the £20m observation spire plan and a decision is expected later.Councillors are considering the £20m observation spire plan and a decision is expected later.
The designers of the London Eye created the plan for the Brighton i360 which will rise 150m (492ft) above sea level.The designers of the London Eye created the plan for the Brighton i360 which will rise 150m (492ft) above sea level.
The Victorian Grade I listed pier closed in 1975 and was reduced to a skeleton by storms and fire in 2003.The Victorian Grade I listed pier closed in 1975 and was reduced to a skeleton by storms and fire in 2003.
Hopes of restoring it faded when the Heritage Lottery Fund withdrew a promised £19m the following year.
Building the spire would involve the partial demolition of the existing pier structure.Building the spire would involve the partial demolition of the existing pier structure.
The spire will rise 150m (492ft) above sea level
The planning application was submitted by London Eye designers David Marks and Julia Barfield, and the West Pier Trust.The planning application was submitted by London Eye designers David Marks and Julia Barfield, and the West Pier Trust.
The West Pier Trust has said it believes the spire is "in the spirit of the West Pier".
It said it would promote regeneration of the Sussex city's seafront and uphold the pier's heritage
And it backed the plan for the spire because it was "elegant, slender and unobtrusive" achieving "maximum effect with minimum intervention".
If approved, it is hoped that work on the attraction will start early in 2007.If approved, it is hoped that work on the attraction will start early in 2007.
The spire will accommodate about 125 people in a fully enclosed "pod", and could be open to the public by summer 2008.The spire will accommodate about 125 people in a fully enclosed "pod", and could be open to the public by summer 2008.