Marina Pavilion plans to go ahead

PLANS to build a restaurant on top of Marina Pavilion have been given the go-ahead.

Regeneration company Sea Space wants to create a "destination" eating venue, as well as getting many more people to use the main venue below as a space for everything from gigs and parties to conferences and meetings.

The rest of Marina Pavilion will also get a face-lift as part of the 1.7 million project.

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Councillors at Wednesday's planning board meeting gave a resounding thumbs-up because they felt the restaurant could revitalise that area of St Leonards seafront which has been ignored for so long.

Ward councillor Trevor Webb, although not on the planning board, made a passionate speech in favour of the development.

He said: "The people of Central St Leonards want a good quality beach-side cafe at Marina. We are now getting the attention the area deserves and I would have thought people would be pleased with that."

Two petitions were gathered in opposition to the restaurant, one from the residents of Marine Court and another from architect David Russell.

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They were opposed to the restaurant because of the obstruction to sea views parking problems.

Mr Russell said the design was not in keeping with the conservation area of Burton's St Leonards in which it lies.

Opposition also came from English Heritage and the council's own conservation and design manager.

Cllr David Hancock was the only member of the 10 board members to oppose the plans.

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He said: "Is it in sympathy with the character of the area? I would say not."

But the rest of the board enthusiastically backed owners Sea Space and architect Neil Choudhury.

Cllr Hancock's fellow Liberal Democrat, Pam Brown, said: "A well-designed modern building can sit alongside historic buildings and I believe this building is well-designed."

No exact timescale has been set for the construction of the restaurant but Sea Space director John Shaw has said he wants to move on the project as soon as possible.

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