A fierce backlash was today promised after a Government watchdog "absolutely and categorically" denied insisting on a futuristic entrance to Southend Pier.

Councillors may have been "misled or cajoled" into accepting the modern design because they were told English Heritage would not back an Edwardian or Victortian frontage for the landmark.

Southend's council leader Charles Latham said he would have preferred a more traditional entrance but the view of English Heritage is seen as vitally important in any planning application for the pier.

Gordon Dulieu, an English Heritage spokesman, said: "I can absolutely, categorically say that English Heritage never imposed a modern design on Southend Council or said that the proposal should be modern.

"There seemed to be a majority of support for the modern scheme, so we said it was OK."

Published Thursday August 15, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Echo