An imaginative scheme well worth serious consideration

Townsfolk will soon be given a viewing of the scale model that architectural designer Alex Macpherson is making to illustrate his idea for a marina project.

Eastbourne and Brighton have large and economically-significant yachting marinas, Newhaven has long-since had a lesser one. World-wide, the contribution marinas can make is acknowledged not just in regeneration reports but in concrete and stone.

Alex Macpherson believes that Bexhill represents a gap in that fast-growing market. He has devoted his spare time over the last 18 months to discussing his ideas with planners, with the De La Warr Pavilion and with potential business backers.

It is an ambitious scheme, certainly in terms of Bexhill's poor track record. But it does not seek to emulate Brighton or Sovereign Harbour in size or intent. Rather, Mr Macpherson is at pains to ensure that his ideas are in scale with Bexhill and in sympathy with De La Warr Parade's architectural heritage.

Wisely, having now progressed this far, he intends putting them before the public before committing more time and effort to the venture.

If public reaction is broadly in favour he plans to move on to the next stage '“ the costly coastal impact study which would be required.

If, as in the case of the ill-thought hotel plan for the Metropole site, the public throws up its arms in horror he says he will abandon his dream.

But need there be an outcry?

We believe that though both involve construction of the hotel the recent Pavilion report identified as necessary to its and the town's future, the two projects are fundamentally different.

The Metropole scheme would have blocked seaward views at a key location and would have destroyed a much-loved open space.

On paper, the Marina project looks to have overcome these pitfalls by maintaining an open vista from the promenade, putting car parking underground, keeping development to two storeys and turning it at right angles to the coast.

We look forward to the public exhibition and to judging from the scale model how effective these measures could be.

More importantly, we want to see what this imaginative project could offer Bexhill as an attraction and as inward investment which could give the town economy a much-needed boost.