'It's official': Historic Birnbeck Pier sold to North Somerset Council for £400k
The local authority and the RNLI have completed the sale of the pier - just weeks ahead of an inquiry into the compulsory purchase order (CPO) was set to go ahead
North Somerset Council and the RNLI have officially completed the sale of Birnbeck Pier, just weeks before an inquiry into the compulsory purchase order was due to go ahead.
Earlier this month, the local authority revealed they were one step closer to taking full ownership of the Grade II listed pier, following the announcement of the inquiry, with an outcome initially expected for the autumn.
Now, that doesn't need to happen - and North Somerset Council say work can start 'immediately' on its restoration, after being shut for nearly three decades.
Birnbeck Holdings Ltd agreed to sell Birnbeck Pier to North Somerset Council at a price of £400k, thanks to funding from the RNLI.
It means joint work will now get going with the charity to restore it - avoiding any more further delays.
It has been more than three years since North Somerset Council initially put in a compulsory purchase order for the structure.
The local authority have revealed that the sale includes North Somerset Council agreeing to lease an area on the pier approach for parking to Birnbeck Holdings Ltd, as well as providing permits in the Madeira car park - should a development on the former Royal Pier Hotel site be completed before July 2033.
Work will now start on site in the coming weeks 'at pace', starting with tidying up the car park area, fencing and putting up safety signage.
North Somerset Council say Haverstock Associates and engineers have been appointed to work with them and the RNLI to develop the detailed designs for the repair works to the pier and associated buildings, followed by planning and marine consent applications.
Cllr Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said: “It’s taken years of planning, negotiation and sheer determination but we’re thrilled to announce Birnbeck Pier’s future is firmly in our hands and it’s once again looking bright.
"Thanks to our partners' unwavering support along with millions in funding, we will now be working as quickly as possible to get on site, prevent any further collapse and renovate the pier and its buildings for future generations to enjoy. We look forward to returning Birnbeck Pier to the people, present and future, of Weston-super-Mare as soon as possible.”
“We agreed to these terms agreeing to lease an area on the pier approach for parking to Birnbeck Holdings Ltd and permits in the Madeira car park in the interest of Birnbeck Pier which now means the Compulsory Purchase Order Public Inquiry will not take place. Although our case was very strong, there was always a risk that Birnbeck Holdings Ltd could have challenged the decision in the High Court. Time which the pier and the other buildings don’t have.”
North Somerset Council will own Birnbeck Pier with an area of the island leased to the RNLI for a new lifeboat station to be built.
Duncan Macpherson, RNLI Principal Estates Manager, said: “Securing ownership of the island is a culmination of years of hard work and has been incredibly challenging. The RNLI is grateful for the support and commitment of North Somerset Council in its determination to secure a long-term base for the RNLI’s lifesaving in Weston-super-Mare.
“This is an exciting and crucial step for the charity and our dedicated team of volunteers at Weston RNLI.
“After many years of investigation of over 20 alternative sites in and around Weston, Birnbeck Island offers the charity the safest and most effective place for our volunteer crew to launch and recover their lifeboats. It is the only place that our volunteers can safely provide a lifesaving service for the town at all states of tide.
“We’re delighted to be able to forward with the next stage of engineering and design works to restore access and reinstate a lifesaving facility on the island.”
Three phases of funding
In a post on Facebook, North Somerset Council have called it 'a momentous day'.
Emergency funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund of £3.55m has been sourced. This will be used to strengthen the pier ‘legs’ and create an interim walkway onto the island.
Additionally, the first payment of £234,760 from a £4.525m funding pot from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been made, which will be used to develop detailed proposals for the restoration and reuse of Birnbeck's buildings.
Finally, £4.4m is also coming to help from the government's Levelling Up Fund.
Duncan Wilson CBE, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: “This is wonderful news for Birnbeck Pier. We applaud the Council, the RNLI and many other partners for their hard work in securing its future. It’s great to know that the repair of this beautiful historic structure, one of the most important Victorian piers in the country, can now get under way.”
Cllr John Crockford-Hawley, North Somerset Councillor and Heritage Champion, said: “Today is a key date in Weston-super-Mare’s history – a day when we can finally start work on renovating Birnbeck Pier so residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy it once again.
"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 for supporting us reach this momentous day.”
For more information about the Birnbeck Pier project, click here.
Read more: North Somerset Council one step closer to owning Birnbeck Pier