Brighton O ferris wheel gets green light
Plans to build a giant ferris wheel on Brighton's seafront have been given the go-ahead by councillors.
Developers Paramount Attractions want to build the £6m Brighton O on the Madeira Drive seafront promenade, opposite The Terraces and The Aquarium.
Supporters say the 197ft (45m) structure will create 30 full-time jobs and attract 250,000 visitors a year.
But conservationists have said the size of the wheel is inappropriate for what is "predominately a residential area".
Illuminated at night
The site of the proposed wheel is enclosed by seafront railings and about 360ft (110m) east of Palace Pier.
It is located within the East Cliff conservation area and is close to several listed buildings.
The developers are seeking temporary planning permission for up to five years.
The wheel would be open from 10am to midnight every day and would be illuminated at night.
The Regency Society, a conservation charity in Brighton, said a tourist attraction on such scale was inappropriate and overbearing.
The decision was agreed by Brighton and Hove City councillors at a meeting on Wednesday.