Supporters of the restoration of Brighton's West Pier have welcomed a possible change in the law to prevent unnecessary delays to marine projects.

The Harbours Bill, which has been introduced in the House of Lords, would remove the need to hold public inquiries in all cases when legitimate objections are made.

A looming inquiry has helped delay plans for the West Pier. Although planning permission was given for restoring the Grade I-listed pier almost a year ago, work has not yet started.

One reason is that the Palace Pier has objected to a Harbour Order needed for this kind of work.

The Harbours Bill has been introduced by Labour peer Lord Berkeley.

He explained that under existing law, a public inquiry had to be held if the Government received any objections unless it was trivial or frivolous.

The Bill would give the Government discretion over whether to hold an inquiry or not.

Lord Bassam of Brighton has welcomed the bill and said: "There have been a number of cases in which a single outstanding objection to an order has necessitated the holding of a public inquiry giving rise to considerable expense and delay."

Lord Bassam referred in the debate to Brighton and said: "Moves towards the restoration of the West Pier have been held up by a commercial objector, in part using the harbour orders procedures to provoke a delay."

Later he told The Argus: "This Bill will prevent vexatious objections to proposals such as the much-needed restoration of the West Pier.

"The Government is keen to see this Private Member's Bill reach the statute book."

Rachel Clark, manager of the West Pier Trust, was not aware of the bill but said: "It sounds excellent. We would obviously welcome it.

"Of course these things happen and they come too late for us but it sounds brilliant."