There was confidence in Brighton and Hove a decade ago that soon there would be a ‘string of pearls’ festooned along the seafront.

These included schemes to renovate the King Alfred Leisure Centre, build thousands of new homes in Shoreham Harbour and to create a new conference centre in Brighton.

Only one of these great projects has proved to be a reality and that is the I360 observation tower, soon to be part of the old West Pier site.

The only other one showing real signs of progress is the scheme to renovate and reopen Saltdean Lido.

Brighton and Hove City Council has enthusiastically backed these two ventures, which in boldness match any of the daring projects of the past.

Yet it could soon take decisions allowing rival plans to prosper that could seriously affect their viability.

Owners of the Brighton Wheel off Madeira Drive want to extend its life beyond the previously agreed time for closure when the tower is operating next year.

And developers are asking permission from the council for a large new swimming centre, also by Madeira Drive, on the site of the old Peter Pan’s playground.

It seems extraordinary to me that the council should even consider the swimming project on its own land when the future of Saltdean Lido is in the balance.

If this development is approved, it will create a rival, larger pool in a much more attractive location than the Lido.

The centrepiece of the new development is an Olympic-sized 50-metre open air swimming pool with heated water.

I would be extremely surprised if this ever proved viable. There are few 50-metre pools in Britain, precisely because of their enormous cost.

It is not just the length that is greater than in 25 or 33-metre pools but also the width. The amount of water to be heated is huge.

Anyone wishing to gain an idea of the size should take a peek at the Pells open air pool (unheated) in Lewes.

Judging from the pictures so far produced of this scheme, it would occupy a site far bigger than that of the old playground and would also be something of an eyesore.

I am a great swimming enthusiast, but would not waste money on paying for a dip in this pool when the sea is only a few yards away.

Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby has questioned the council’s wisdom in allowing such a project to be put forward for a site it owns and he is right.

No one should forget that before becoming a politician he was a successful leisure entrepreneur in Brighton.

The Lido partners say they are disappointed with the prospect of another pool, but claim their plans are different.

In their favour, they plan a lot of community activity with strong local backing but the centrepiece of their plan is the same as at Peter Pan’s Playground – a large heated pool.

As for the Wheel, it was accepted by councillors as a stopgap project until the I360 was ready to open. The bid to extend its life should be dismissed out of hand.

The wheel is of a standard type found in seaside resorts and tourist towns up and down the country. The I360 is a unique structure offering extraordinary views.

Instead of offering conventional seats on a big wheel, the Eye will take passengers up nearly 500 feet in a pod shaped like a doughnut.

Once they are at the top, passengers will be able to see a large swathe of seaside and to peer over the edge of the Downs.

It is being put forward by Marks Barfield, developer of the London Eye, the most successful tourist attraction in Britain.

I hope it will be a huge success, bringing in many thousands more visitors each year while also delighting the locals.

But the I360 needs all the help it can get to succeed, especially in the early stages. It emphatically does not need a pipsqueak rival taking some of the trade.

It’s also hard to see what is in it for the Wheel since it seldom seems to attract many passengers these days.

Councillors have it in their power to stop the two rival schemes in their tracks. They should take action firmly and quickly.

I am not saying there should never be competition among leisure schemes on the seafront. Sometimes it can be good for business.

But it would be madness for the council to encourage rivals at this stage and risk tarnishing two of its precious pearls.