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Permission is being sought by Haverstock, the council’s appointed architects for the project, on proposals including:
- fitting out the South Toll House (Grade II Listed), Shell Shop and Pier View landside buildings
- reinstating the landside historic Grade II Listed gate line
- work to stabilise the pavilion on Birnbeck Island and create a new toilet block
- refurbishing and fitting out the 1888 boathouse, to include a café with accessible toilet and a flexible recreational community space
- public realm work to include installing lighting and information points, creating safe public access on the island, landscaping and work on the car park.
The overall redevelopment of the site in Weston-super-Mare, which is the only pier in the country to link to an island, will require multiple planning applications. The restoration and renovation work proposed within this planning application – for Phase 2b – is subject to an additional bid for funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund due to be determined by next spring.
Councillor Mark Canniford, the council's executive member responsible for placemaking, as well as local ward member, said: “It’s great to see more significant milestones being achieved as momentum builds in the delivery of this complex project. Last month we submitted our bid to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an additional £7m in funding, and this planning application sets out the work we intend to deliver if that bid is successful.
“I’m particularly pleased to see clear proposals for delivering our aspiration to create a safe and accessible route for people around the island. We want visitors to explore and enjoy as much of the heritage of the island as possible.”
Tom Gibb, Partner at Haverstock, added: “We’re excited to submit this application as the next step in restoring important details and expanding visitors’ experience of the site. Our proposed interventions aim to secure the continued survival of the site while conserving Birnbeck’s rich fabric. This phase in the conservation of Birnbeck Pier would allow the creation of a public space that is safe and accessible for everyone.”
The planning application reference is 24/P/2439/R3 and the Listed Building application is 24/P/2440/RLA. People can find out more about the proposals on the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/planning.
To find out more about the Birnbeck Pier project, visit the information hub next to the pier or the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/birnbeckpierproject.
