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This is following the private owner objecting to the CPO and asking for a ‘stay’. The council responded prior to the hearing held today, that a ‘stay’ is not justified due to the current owner not undertaking any repairs on the pier either before or since the CPO was served in 2020. At the hearing today the owners withdrew their objection.
This will now enable the CPO to continue which is expected to complete next year.
Cllr Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Placemaking and Growth at North Somerset Council said: “This court case is another example of unnecessary time wasting by the private owner of Birnbeck Pier and we’re aware that the public are keen to progress this. We’re extremely pleased the case has been withdrawn and we can now begin the purchase of the pier as soon as possible.
“Following the emergency funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund of £3.55m and the National Lottery Heritage Fund of £234,760 we can start the first two stages of works, which will include strengthening the legs, creating a temporary walkway onto the island, developing detailed proposals for the restoration and reuse of Birnbeck’s buildings and wide-ranging community engagement.
“We’re grateful to the ongoing support from Historic England and the RNLI as we’ve fought to save this Victorian treasure, bring the RNLI back to the island and restore public access to this much-loved site.”
The CPO was originally served against the private owner of the pier in 2020 due to years of deterioration, resulting in Historic England putting the pier on to its at-risk register and financially supporting the CPO process.
Duncan Macpherson, Principal Estates Manager from RNLI said: “The RNLI welcomes the outcome of today’s court hearing. There is still a long way to go but this is a positive step in the right direction towards North Somerset Council taking ownership of the pier and Island. Once ownership has been resolved the RNLI and North Somerset Council can commence with the collaborative restoration and reopening of the Pier site. Once pier access is restored the RNLI will be in a position to re-establish its lifesaving activity from Birnbeck.”.
North Somerset Council and the RNLI have formally agreed to work together to renovate Birnbeck Pier, bringing vital lifesaving work back onto the island and allowing the public access to the Victorian pier once again.
Cllr John Crockford-Hawley, Heritage Champion at North Somerset Council, said: “This will be the most challenging, complex and exciting conservation project ever undertaken by the Council in partnership with statutory and voluntary bodies. Bringing historic Birnbeck Pier back into useful life will be of significance well beyond the shores of the Bristol Channel.
Birnbeck Pier is Grade II* listed with five further Grade II structures and buildings located on the island and the landward end of the site. It is classed by Historic England as being a priority level A, Listed building in their National Building at risk Register.
The pier was designed by Eugenius Birch, the noted Victorian engineer.