A major hurdle to the restoration of Brighton's crumbling West Pier has been removed, paving the way for work to start next year.

The Government has ruled out holding a public inquiry into the future of the project despite a plea from opponents.

Last month Brighton and Hove City Council granted planning permission in principle for the restoration of the pier and the construction of leisure pavilions on either side to make the project viable.

But opponents of the scheme, including pressure group Save Our Seafront and the Palace Pier, asked the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) to call in the application for an inquiry.

Today's announcement means the scheme can now go ahead.

GOSE told the city council that on balance the application did not conflict with national planning policies and there were no other compelling reasons to call it in.

Rachel Clark, general manager of the Brighton West Pier Trust, which is behind the restoration plan, said: "It is brilliant news. We still have obstacles but hope to overcome them."

She said emergency work could start on the collapsed concert hall in the summer with full work on restoration starting next year. It should be completed by the end of 2005.

City council leader Ken Bodfish said: "I'm relieved and thrilled. It's a very sensible decision.

"Like the history of many of the city's best buildings, this has proved controversial. But I've no doubt future generations of Brighton and Hove residents will thank everyone who has helped this to happen."

But Derek Granger of Save Our Seafront said: "I am shocked and dismayed.

"It is a shameful decision and reflects very badly on the Secretary of State and a Government which does nothing but impose unpopular decisions on the poor, suffering public."

David Biesterfield, director of the Noble Organisation which owns the Palace Pier, said he would not comment until he had seen GOSE's letter.

The Palace Pier is considering its next move which, now the Government has decided not to intervene, could only be through the courts.

It is still challenging the issue of National Lottery funding for the West Pier scheme in an action likely to reach the European Court.

Wednesday March 12 2003