Large new seafront buildings will be needed if the West Pier in Brighton is to be restored.

There is no doubt about that and it is accepted by all concerned, from the West Pier Trust to heritage organisations.

Even though National Lottery money will be available for the restoration of the pier itself, an assured income will be needed to prevent it falling into decay again.

But the size and shape of these buildings is proving extremely controversial, even before an application from developers St Modwen has been officially submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council.

What worries neighbours and conservationists is that pavilions from this development will be well above the level of King's Road, blocking some views and creating a precedent for further development.

Now, architects Bennetts Associates and Lomax, Cassidy and Edwards have resubmitted their previous ideas for these buildings, which were rejected two years ago when another developer was involved.

They show it is possible to provide a substantial shoreline structure on the Lower Promenade without going above the level of the seafront road.

The current designs are so far advanced they will have to be submitted and there is a fair chance planners will approve them. But if they prove unacceptable, it would be well worth a look at the scheme produced by these two respected practices to see if it could provide a solution.