Brighton & Hove Council granted planning permission for the Brighton i360 - the structure designed by the award-winning London Eye architects, husband and wife team David Marks and Julia Barfield.

At 183 metres high and with the observation pod rising to 139 metres, the i360 will be Britain’s highest observation tower, taller than the London Eye (at 135m).

It is anticipated that the i360 will cost in the region of £20 million pounds, funded entirely by private investors. It is expected to open in summer 2008

Brighton i360 will be located on the seafront on the site of the Victorian West Pier.

Glynn Jones, chairman of the Brighton West Pier Trust says “After 30 years of exploring public funding options, it has not proved possible to rebuild the pier. We believe that the Brighton i360 – a ‘vertical pier’ is entirely in the spirit of the pier’s history and the best option to replicate the success and the ethos of the original pier.”

Visitors will board a giant fully enclosed ‘pod’ – more than nine times the size of a London Eye capsule.

During their 20 minute ride, the pod will rise gradually to a height of 139 metres giving visitors stunning 360 degree panoramic views of up to 25 miles on a clear day of Brighton with its Regency squares, Grade II listed Victorian pier and the Pavilion, of the South Downs and the South Coast including the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head, as far as Eastbourne in the East to Bognor Regis in the West.

Brighton i360 will be located on the seafront on the site of the Victorian West Pier. The design will include the restored original Victorian toll booths and seating, and the creation of a Heritage Centre.

The Brighton i360 is set to be popular for corporate hospitality and conferencing customers. During the evening, guests will be able to enjoy stunning night time views and a glass of champagne in the Sky Bar.