The dilapidated West Pier in Brighton should be reborn as an eco-friendly solar palace, to a retired architecture lecturer.

Arthur North, an environmental design consultant, has put forward the ambitious green scheme for Brighton's tumbledown seafront attraction.

For many years, Mr North was a leading lecturer in architecture at the University of North London and designed the solar dome house and glass garden house, with solar panels, which appeared in the Daily Mail's Ideal Homes exhibitions in the Seventies.

Mr North, of Hartington Road, Brighton, believes his project would put the ravaged pier on the international map, restoring it to its former glory.

He hopes it would provide revenue for the city by generating electricity, which could be pumped back into projects for the community.

Mr North said: "I had the vision of the Solar Palace while half-sleeping on the beach near the pier in the recent hot weather.

"I would like it to be a quiet place of relaxation, in contrast to the fun fair style of the Palace Pier.

"The interior of the dome could be filled with flowers, palm beds, pools and waterfalls, with perhaps a dance floor and stage for musicians.

"By using solar panels, the project would also be eligible for a 60 per cent government grant.

"An electric pathway would allow elderly people to enjoy it as well."

Mr North hopes to use the pier's frame, which has been left standing despite part of the listed structure slipping in the sea and the rest being burnt by fires.

He said: "I would need to have a survey done. The frame looks quite solid, though we would have to remove the middle building.

"The pier is now a basic structural frame, which is very simple and attractive.

"Lightweight photo-voltaic panels would be hung from the frame to generate electricity from daylight.

"The roof of the main dome would also be clad with light-sensitive panels. It would also be a simple design.

"It would cost far less than a conventional rebuild and money from selling electricity could finance youth projects such as ice rinks on the shore."

Mr North is confident he would get financial backing, and could even get companies to donate materials free, because it would be such a unique design.

He said: "I think suppliers and fabricators would be interested in participating because of the extensive publicity it would attract. That has been the case on previous projects I have worked on."

Ken Fines, former planning officer for Brighton Borough Council, backs the plans.

He said: "I think it has real possibilities. The plans are very encouraging. It would provide a focus for the resort again."

But Dr Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the Brighton West Pier Trust, said it was committed to the restoration of the West Pier.

He said: "I would welcome any ideas for other sea-based developments as Brighton's seascape is one of the most boring in the UK. So we're all for any ideas like a Sydney Opera House, out in the sea. We'd give the project any help we could - on another site."

Mr North is a relative newcomer to Brighton and Hove, having moved here three years ago from Tottenham.

He said: "I fell in love with the city. That's partly why I want to do this project - to give something to the city."

Thursday August 28, 2003