Pier Council wins its fight to force Birnbeck purchase
COUNCIL chiefs have won their bid to force the purchase of Weston-super-Mare’s dilapidated Birnbeck Pier.
North Somerset Council learnt at a court hearing on Friday that it can go ahead with the compulsory purchase of the Grade II*-listed landmark from its owners CNM Estates.
The authority issued CNM Estates – headed by businessman Wahid Samday – with a compulsory purchase order in September. But CNM Estates appealed the CPO on the grounds of ‘prematurity’ and asked for a stay in proceedings.
The council argued that a stay was not justified due to the current owner not undertaking any repairs to the landmark before or after the CPO was issued.
At Friday’s hearing, CNM Estates withdrew its objection, allowing the council to continue with the purchase. It is expected the process will be completed early next year.
North Somerset Council executive member for placemaking and growth, Councillor Mark Canniford, 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“We’re extremely pleased the case has been withdrawn and we can now begin the purchase of the pier as soon as possible.”
The idea is that once the council owns the pier, it will transfer it and the island to the RNLI. The site would be renovated and the lifesaving charity return its operations there.
As part of the plan, the RNLI will restore the pier, which over the years has fallen into a dangerous condition, and build a new lifeboat station, training facility and other operational buildings.
The RNLI – based on the landmark for 131 years – was forced to move off the island in 2013 after concerns for the crew’s health and safety because of the poor state of the structure. It now operates from a temporary base at Knightstone Island.
The court’s decision comes after the National Heritage Memorial Fund awarded emergency funding to the council towards repairs of the pier.
Mr Canniford added: “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 for 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 process was supported by Historic England, which had put the pier on its at-risk register.
RNLI principal estates manager, Duncan Macpherson, 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.”