North Somerset Council one step closer to owning Birnbeck Pier
The date has been set for the inquiry into the Compulsory Purchase Order of the Grade II listed structure
Last updated 20th Jun 2024
North Somerset Council are one step closer to taking full ownership of the Grade II listed Birnbeck Pier.
The structure's been shut for nearly three decades, and the local authority put in a compulsory purchase order back in February 2020.
An inquiry into the CPO will take place between 8-10 August, with an outcome on the decision expected in the autumn.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has confirmed the news of the inquiry after the objection by the pier's private owner was formally withdrawn last November.
Cllr Mark Canniford, Executive Member for spatial planning, placemaking and economy at North Somerset Council said: “We’ve been working towards this point for three years and we’re grateful that our case to acquire and restore the pier can finally be heard. We have developed proposals to restore the Grade II* pier and many of the associated buildings, allow the RNLI to use the site once again and the public to visit.
"This will be transformational to the town and its future. We are very grateful to our partners and funders, RNLI, Historic England, Birnbeck Regeneration Trust, National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Levelling Up Fund.”
John Crockford-Hawley, North Somerset Council Councillor and Heritage Champion said: “I’m thrilled we are a huge step closer to renovating Birnbeck Pier and seeing it in use once again. Currently it is on Historic England’s National Building Risk Register.
"The Pier was designed by Eugenius Birch, the noted Victorian engineer, and is Grade II* listed with five further Grade II structures and buildings located on the island and the landward end of the site. It will be wonderful to see it returned and used once again by the town.”
Three phases of funding for the pier have since been announced.
Back in October 2022, emergency funding had been granted by the National Heritage Memorial Fund to strengthen the 'legs' of the pier, and to create a temporary walkway, totalling £3.55 million.
In addition, the first payment of £234,760 from a £4.525m funding pot from the National Heritage Lottery Fund has been announced to develop detailed proposals for the restoration and reuse of Birnbeck's buildings, and and £4.4m from the government's Levelling Up Fund is also to be made, contributing to the pier's restoration.
North Somerset Council and the RNLI have also formally agreed to work together to renovate the Victorian pier.
The CPO inquiry will take place at 10am at the Grand Atlantic Hotel, Weston-super-Mare.
For more information about the Birnbeck Pier project including the Compulsory Purchase Order, click here.