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The partnership behind the restoration project made up of North Somerset Council and the RNLI will focus first on carrying out urgent repairs and restoration work to the buildings and structures that make up the site.
The project is very large and technically complicated and will take several years to complete in various stages.
Restoration work to the landward side buildings will be delivered in 2024/5 as the project successfully secured some of the government’s Levelling Up funding.
Repairs to the legs of the pier structure and the partial restoration of the deck, which will create a safe access onto Birnbeck Island, will also be taking place. The funding for the pier repair will come from grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Historic England - and is being led by the RNLI. It is hoped that this work will begin in 2025, subject to surveys, design work and the relevant permissions.
The RNLI will also progress designs for their new lifeboat station on Birnbeck Island which will significantly improve their operational effectiveness along this busy stretch of coast.
A later part of the project will see the other buildings and structures on the island restored and the site more fully opened to the public.
These works will be part funded by a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This funding is currently supporting the development phase of the works and North Somerset Council will be applying for a grant of £4.2m for the next phase of the project shortly. If secured, works are expected to take place in 2026 and 2027.
It is hoped that once complete, the site will be managed by the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust in the same way that a community led charity has rebuilt and runs Clevedon Pier, which is also owned by North Somerset Council.
The following architects and engineers have been appointed to take restoration works forward:
- Studio Four Architects, Marbas Civil and Structural Engineers, TNG Consulting Engineers, McNaughts quantity surveyors and Royal HaskoningDHV Environmental consultants are appointed by the RNLI to develop the detailed proposal for the pier restoration, and the new lifeboat station on the island.
- Haverstock supported by Rena Pitsilli-Graham Conservation Architect, Mann Williams and Greenwoods quantity surveyors have been appointed by North Somerset Council to develop proposals for the island and landside restoration and reuse of the buildings and structures.
- Also appointed by the Council are Haley Sharp to support the business planning process and Bowles Green who are supporting the capacity development of the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust. Ingham Pinnock Associates have also been appointed to support the Council and coordinate parts of the project.
Cllr Mark Canniford, Executive Member for spatial planning, placemaking and economy at North Somerset Council and Local Ward Member said: “We’re delighted to have worked with partners to appoint the design team who are now working up fuller plans to progress the restoration works as quickly as possible. We’d like to thank our partners for their continuing support and shared ambition in bringing the pier and island back to life for all to enjoy once again.”
Adrian Carey, RNLI Head of Region for the South West said: “After a huge amount of hard work by everyone involved, it’s great to see plans towards the repair and restoration of Birnbeck pier and Island gather pace with the appointment of consultants across the project, design work beginning and funding opportunities being developed.
“Since being forced to withdraw from Birnbeck Island in 2014, our volunteer lifeboat crew have been operating from their temporary facility at Knightstone Harbour. The crew remain busy, the lifeboat station experiencing high levels of rescue activity and operating in an area which is high risk to water users. The restoration of the pier will allow the RNLI safe access to the Island to progress with the plans to build a new, permanent lifeboat station and reinstate lifesaving operations at all stages of the tide. Achieving that will be an incredible step change in local lifesaving provision.”
Dr Simon Thurley CBE, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said: "Birnbeck Pier is one of the greatest memorials to Victorian ingenuity and engineering in the UK. We are delighted to see the pier's restoration journey progressing apace thanks to the hard work of North Somerset Council, the RNLI and their partners. We are proud to be supporting those plans with a £3.55m National Heritage Memorial Fund grant, which will strengthen the pier structure and create an interim walkway onto the island."
Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are thrilled to be able to support North Somerset Council, the RNLI and their partners to develop their plans to revive Birnbeck Pier - a remarkable heritage and engineering landmark in the South West of England. It is great news to see the evolution of the project and we look forward to seeing their developed plans in the near future.”
Duncan Wilson, CBE, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: “Birnbeck Pier is of great historical and symbolic importance to Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding region. But it has been a really difficult project. So it is a great moment to celebrate this milestone in its rescue. As repairs begin, vital project development work is also under way, which we’re helping to fund. We will continue to provide support and advice to key partners to secure this major contribution to Weston-super-Mare’s regeneration.”
Simon Talbot-Ponsonby Vice Chair and Project Liaison for the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust said: “We are delighted that the team is now in place to be able to develop the detailed plans for bringing Birnbeck Pier and Island back into operation and once again became an integral part of life in Weston-super-Mare. We are pleased to be part of this team as the project at last moves forward.”
Cllr John Crockford-Hawley, North Somerset Councillor and Heritage Champion, said: “It’s important we strengthen the pier legs first in order to make it safe for the next phase to begin. It’s a big and challenging project but we’re excited to finally see plans we’ve envisioned for years finally start to progress If anyone wants to volunteer or support the restoration works more fully as we move forward, please get in touch.”
The Birnbeck Regeneration Trust and North Somerset Council have recently set up a Visitor Hub on the promenade by Birnbeck Pier where visitors can meet volunteers to discuss the project, find out more information, and sign up to be a volunteer. Further information will also be posted on the North Somerset Council website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/birnbeckpierproject.