It was billed as an £80 million development attracting two million visitors a year.
But for nearly a decade, plans for the Brighton International Arena have remained little more than a pipe dream.
Now the nine-year saga appears to have taken another twist as Brighton and Hove City Council looks likely to give developers another year to submit formal plans to develop the derelict Black Rock site near Brighton Marina.
Ice rink
Despite having no apparent history of bringing forward major multimillion pound schemes, those behind the plans for a 10,000-seater arena and separate indoor ice rink are confident they can meet the new cut-off date of July 2013.
City leaders, who dubbed it “Billy Bunter’s postal order” for being promised but not delivered, asked whether the local authority should be looking elsewhere.
David Pople, managing director of Brighton Arena Ltd, told The Argus: “You always have to be positive about these things. It’s a major project for Brighton and Hove and will bring big benefits.”
If built, the proposed indoor arena, double the capacity of current Brighton Centre, would host larger sporting and entertainment events.
A separate indoor public ice rink, open all year round, would also be built as well as between 111 and 149 flats.
A further 25,000sq ft of restaurant, bar, retail and other space will also be provided although this will be finalised if and when a planning application is submitted.
Job creation
Council papers say it will create between 400 and 450 jobs while bringing about £8 million a year into the local economy.
The local authority adds space will be provided for the planned Rapid Transport Link despite there still being no firm proposal put forward for this.
Town hall papers seen by The Argus show a lock-out deal, which gives Mr Pople’s firm exclusive development rights to the seafront site near Brighton Marina, will continue until the end of May.
It adds that new funders are on board who could become long-term partners in the scheme.
The council is required to review the existing agreement and decide whether it will accept a 12-month extension by the end of July 2012.
Council papers give a planned on-site start date of spring 2014.
Failed to deliver
Simon Fanshawe, chairman of the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, said: “For years now, we have called Black Rock Billy Bunter’s postal order, always promised but never delivered.
“The question really is whether Mr Pople has not been able to develop as he does not have the funds or if it is just down to unforeseen circumstances.
“I’m guessing the council believes the investment and intelligence they have gathered over the years is worth sticking with for another year.
“But if they do not come forward maybe we should look for another provider.”
A council spokesman said: “If we didn’t get a planning application within the 12 months, the council would consider its options.
“We’re doing everything practical to move all major projects on but as everyone knows, building and property development all over the country has been badly hit by the recession and raising money is very difficult.
“That’s crucial because councils are given nothing like the money they would need to build things themselves and, typically, have to involve private sector partners.”
Mr Pople said the arena plans had not changed much from when first put forward in 2003.
However, he did say talks were ongoing with a variety of groups, including musical promoters, to discuss use of the non-allocated space, which could include creating a contemporary dance venue.
Arena plans
As for the general arena plans, he said: “We have been given a backstop date of July 2013 to get a planning application in as part of the development agreement.
“I would like to think it could be submitted before then.
“It’s been a long old process. We have had to relook at the scheme due to the current economic situation.
“It has to work but the protocol of developing anything means that as we pass through the process we have to get the backing of the council.”
To help with this, a cross-party panel of city councillors will be set up next month.
Mr Pople said this “project board” was something he had been requesting as a link between the developers and the council officers guiding the proposal. Records from Companies House show Brighton Arena Ltd now has two directors – the Winchester-based Mr Pople and international figure skater Robin Cousins.
The multimillion pound scheme ground to a halt in 2008 when its funders Erinaceous, a property firm which owned Shoreham Airport, saw its shares price fall.
Accounts from August 2010 show the Brighton Arena Ltd had liabilities of nearly £500,000. But The Argus can now reveal an agreement has been signed with Edinburgh-based Miller Developments to provide initial funding which could turn into a long term agreement.
The Argus contacted the firm but did not get a response.
Its website shows recent involvement in major schemes in Islington, Scotland and the Warrington-based Omega project, which is the one of the largest development projects in Britain.
When asked about Miller Developments, Mr Pople said he was not willing to comment about any financial partners.
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