Brighton and Hove is booming, but there are some sites which are proving to be development problems. Adam Trimingham gives a progress report.

First the good news. Renovation of the Dome in Brighton will be completed early this year, providing the centrepiece of the city's cultural quarter.

Work has also started on renovating the museum at Hove and that should be completed later in the year.

The next stage of the seafront redevelopment, west of the West Pier, should also be undertaken from the spring onwards.

Progress is also expected during the year on six other schemes:

BLACK ROCK The old art deco swimming pool close to the marina was demolished in 1979 and the site has not been developed since.

Two schemes for leisure parks, one by a private developer and the other by the old council, failed to get going.

But Brighton and Hove City Council, after consultation, has secured agreement that the site should be marketed for leisure. Possible developments include a skating rink and an extension to the Kemp Town slopes.

It should be possible to extend Volk's Railway through the site to a terminus at the marina.

WEST PIER The only Grade I listed pier in the UK has been disused since 1975. Three schemes by private operators all failed through lack of finance. Its future seemed assured when it was promised a £14 million National Lottery grant four years ago. But there have been problems since then, with the departure of two private enterprise partners and a legal challenge to the lottery funds from the owners of the Palace Pier.

There is also opposition to a scheme for two large buildings on the Lower Esplanade.

Private sector partners St Modwen is revising its scheme to meet objections and a planning application is imminent. Work could start next year if it is agreed.

JUBILEE STREET This site between Church Street and North Road in Brighton has been largely vacant for 50 years. Part of it has been earmarked for a new central library but two schemes in the Seventies and Nineties fell by the wayside.

Work should now start on the library early this year under a project worked out by Norwich Union PPP through a private finance initiative scheme.

It also includes a hotel, shops, offices, a civic square, housing and restaurants.

BRIGHTON STATION Land to the east of the railway station has been largely disused since the days of steam. The first attempt to redevelop it, including demolishing the station 30 years ago, was vehemently opposed.

Successive schemes have folded through planning difficulties or problems over road access.

The New England Consortium, including site owners Railtrack, has applied to city councillors for an urban village on the site.

This project includes hotels, hundreds of homes and the international headquarters of a language school.

But the controversial part is a Sainsbury's supermarket, which is opposed by environmentalists.

Work could start next year on the site if plans are approved.

KING ALFRED The old swimming pool building, built before the Second World War and opened soon afterwards, is showing its age.

Hove Borough Council bought the neighbouring site, now used as a car park, more than 30 years ago for a leisure redevelopment.

But there have been constant difficulties with schemes for the site. The last one by London-based developers Citygrove collapsed in December 2000.

This was opposed by neighbours and the new city council is currently working on proposals for another scheme.

FALMER Brighton and Hove Albion's temporary stadium at Withdean holds only 7,000 people and is far too small for a big club.

Albion want to build a new community stadium at Falmer but the club will have to agree with Brighton University on the most likely of the two sites.

The applications will be decided by city councillors in 2003. Although they have strong support from the fans, they are unpopular with environmentalists and villagers in Falmer.

If Albion do get promoted, they will certainly spend next season at Withdean.