Bosses at the Palace Pier in Brighton have condemned the award of National Lottery cash to a potential rival.
We revealed a grant of more than £1.6 million had been made to the West Pier in Brighton, mainly for emergency repairs to the Grade I listed structure.
It took months for the decision to be made after a legal objection by the Palace Pier on the grounds of unfair competition.
The Palace Pier, the biggest tourist attraction in the South-East, is also a listed building and receives no lottery funding.
David Biesterfield, a director of the Noble Organisation, which owns the pier, said: "We think it is the wrong decision."
The pier company would continue to oppose further applications made by the Brighton West Pier Trust and developers St Modwen for cash to restore the structure.
He said: "It is unreasonable and unfair that this commercial development should receive lottery funding."
The Palace Pier will also oppose controversial plans for two large pavilions on either side of the West Pier at the shore end which are being proposed to make the development financially viable.
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