Plans to restore Brighton’s “jewel in the crown” received unanimous support from councillors as they approved plans for Madeira Terrace.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission for the £7 million first phase of repairs to 40 of the Grade II* listed arches on Wednesday.

The plans include a new additional lift, general repairs and upgrades to the existing Shelter Hall lift, a new staircase from the deck to Madeira Drive and landscaping.

Labour councillor Daniel Yates asked for confirmation that the new lifts will be available 24 hours a day and a maintenance plan is included in the conditions to ensure wheelchair users and people with mobility issues can access the beach at all times.

The new lift will be available 24 hours a day with lighting, and the refurbished shelter hall lift will not require operators.

Councillor Yates said: “Madeira Terrace is the jewel in the crown of the city, more so than the Pavilion, because it is somewhere more of the city has access to, and more of the city demands we do something about, more than any other thing apart from sorting the bins out.

“It is a running joke the failures of this city to invest in its seafront architecture.

“Just days after another bit of the West Pier collapsed into the sea, the last thing people want to see is our horizontal pier collapsing as it’s been at risk of doing for many years.

“The nature of this as an amenity improvement for the city cannot be underestimated. Whatever proposal comes forward for this space, it is critical space, critical infrastructure, and in terms of design, meets an awful lot of the needs of the city.”

Green councillor Marianna Ebel said she liked the designs as the arches reflected the existing structures and opened the area for more flexible use.

She said: “At the moment, the middle layer is not used for safety reasons. It’s going to be a fantastic place for performances, and under the arches, there’ll be a lot you can do there, like pop-up stores.

“It’s a fantastic improvement. I often walk along there, and walking up those stairs is pretty hard. An additional lift will make this area much more accessible for wheelchair users and people with small children, the elderly and anyone who is not fit enough to walk up the stairs.”

The Argus: Madeira Terraces Restoration Artists Impression

Former Labour now independent councillor Nick Childs, whose Queen’s Park ward includes part of the terrace, asked why the new lift did not reflect the existing shelter hall design.

He was told the clear top and simple design were created so as not to detract from the more intricate shelter hall lift.

Councillor Childs said: “I think it’s great this has come before we and action is finally being taken on what has become a bit of an embarrassment for the city along with the King Alfred situation as well.

“I don’t like the lift, I think it is rather dull and out of keeping with the architecture, but the overall benefits of the application really outweigh this. It’s crucial this area is regenerated.”

Committee chair, Green councillor Leo Littman said he was delighted to support the application after following the process for “a long time”.

He said: “We have seen various ideas come and go, and I think this is by far the best we have seen.

“It manages to retain everything that is so iconic about what’s there and yet brings it absolutely up-to-date into the 21st Century and provides accessibility.”

Before restoring all 151 arches in the Victorian structure, future planning applications are necessary.

Twenty-two car-parking spaces will make way for new planted verges, a pedestrian crossing, cycle parking and drainage.

Seating is included on the deck level, and the plans also include protection of the Green Wall.

Electricity and drainage will also be provided to support events in the area.