Summit ‘the only sensible way forward’

A COUNCIL says it has not received an invitation to a “summit” about the future of a controversial pier.

David Jones, MP for Clwyd West, said last week that a meeting between all interested parties was the only sensible way forward for Colwyn Bay’s Victoria Pier. The Conservative MP also suggested that former pier owner Steve Hunt, who is locked in a High Court legal dispute with the council over the site’s ownership, should be invited.

However, Conwy county council says it has received no request for a meeting from the MP and is already in “round table” discussions with Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust, the group fighting to rescue the 115-year-old landmark from the local authority’s demolition plans.

A council spokesperson said: “The council has not received an approach from the MP regarding this particular suggestion, but we are already engaged in round table discussions with representatives of the group.

“The council acknowledges the application for Heritage Lottery funding submitted by the Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust and awaits the outcome of that application, at which point council or cabinet will consider requests made by the trust, including in relation to the provision of Conwy County Borough Council funding and matters relating to ownership of the pier.”

Meanwhile, the council is also pressing on with plans to demolish the pier, which were ratified in December 2013.

Mr Hunt says he has a right to reclaim ownership of the pier, due to what he insists is a failure by administrators to do anything with the structure within the three-year timescale. His case will be heard in the High Court in March. Mr Hunt says he would sit in on discussions and would lease the pier back to the trust so they could bid for funding to renovate it.

He said: “I have always been prepared to meet with anybody to resolve the issues.”