Plans formally submitted to restore Birnbeck Pier
It's the only pier in the country which connects the mainland to an island
A planning application's been submitted which could see the Grade 2 listed Birnbeck Pier restored to its former glory and see the return of its lifeboat station.
The pier was first built in 1867 and is the only one in the country to link the mainland to an island, but was closed to the public in 1994 after becoming unsafe and has been left to rot ever since.
In 2023 it was bought by North Somerset Council with the aim of restoring it, with formal plans to do so now submitted.
If approved, it is proposed the work would start later this year and be finished in time for a reopening in 2025.
As part of the work an RNLI lifeboat station will be re-established on site.
Councillor Mark Canniford, the council's executive member responsible for placemaking, as well as local ward member, said: “It’s encouraging to see these proposals submitted for planning approval.
"Momentum is really building now and we’re edging ever closer to starting work on site later this year.
“Just earlier this month, the council’s Executive approved for the project team to go ahead with sourcing construction contracts to deliver the restoration work. It’s certainly all systems go, which is extremely exciting.”
The application sets out plans to:
- restore Pier Master's Cottage and reinstate the bell tower, while extending the building to the north to create space for a café that would be open all year round.
- create other visitor facilities including toilets.
- carry out essential repairs to weatherproof the other landside buildings known as Pier View, the old shell shop and the South Toll House.
- stabilise buildings on the island including The Pavilion, 1888 Boathouse and the Clocktower.
- provide essential services and infrastructure to the whole site, including work underground on water and sewage pumps and installation of a new electricity substation.
This element of the work is being funded by money from the UK government's Levelling Up Fund.
Tom Gibb, Partner at Haverstock architects, added: “We’re excited to submit a planning and listed building consent application, the first step to reinstating the pier site as a publicly accessible attraction and unique heritage experience.
“This first application aims to arrest decay and save significant historic fabric on both the landward and island site.
"The application includes reopening and extending the Pier Master’s Cottage as a space for the public to view subsequent phases of repair and regeneration.”
Full details of the application can be accessed via this link, by searching the reference 24/P/0679/R3.
The whole project – to restore Birnbeck Pier and Island – has been made possible thanks to funding from the RNLI, UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, National Heritage Memorial Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
More details on the project can be found here.