Leading Labour councillor Ian Duncan has warned conservationists not to knock the size of development next to the West Pier in Brighton.

Five organisations have joined together to protest against the plans.

The leisure and entertainment buildings are proposed on either side of the landmark to help make the restoration viable.

St Modwen is the third development company that has teamed up with the Brighton West Pier Trust to work on the buildings.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has previously offered up to £14 million so the work can go ahead.

But this is now on hold because of a legal challenge by the Noble Organisation, which owns the Palace Pier.

Coun Duncan, Brighton and Hove City Council's Cabinet culture spokesman, said if St Modwen pulled out, the Lottery Fund would not make the financial offer to another developer.

Amenity societies have complained that the two buildings would spoil the seafront and stand too high above the seafront.

Coun Duncan said: "It has been crystal clear for years that a development of this size is needed so that the pier can come to life again.

"They should be aware that the alternative is to have the pier as a rotting hulk."

He said a serious debate was needed over the design of the new scheme to be put forward by St Modwen but not over its extent.

He said of the combined society opposition: "It really should sound alarm bells."

His comments follow those of West Pier Trust chief executive Geoff Lockwood who said earlier this week the pier's future would be jeopardised if the other developments were not approved.

Dr Lockwood also repeated his claim that the challenge by the Palace Pier to lottery funding was obstructive and had caused a frustrating delay to restoration.