A public inquiry to decide on the compulsory purchase of Weston-super-Mare’s dilapidated Birnbeck Pier is to be held next month. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has confirmed the compulsory purchase order (CPO) inquiry regarding the transfer of Birnbeck Pier to North Somerset Council is set to take place over three days between August 8 and 10.
North Somerset Council won its bid to go ahead with compulsory purchase of the landmark from owners CNM Estates at a court hearing last year. The authority issued CNM Estates - headed by businessman Wahid Samday - with a compulsory purchase order in September 2022.
But CNM Estates initially appealed the CPO on the grounds of ‘prematurity’ and asked for a ‘stay’ in proceedings. At the hearing in November, the council argued that a stay was not justified due to the current owner not undertaking any repairs to the landmark - with before or after the CPO was issued.
READ MORE: Travellers remain in South Bristol park week after court order issued
CMN Estates withdrew its objection, allowing the council to continue with the purchase. North Somerset Council executive member for spatial planning, placemaking and economy Councillor Mark Canniford said: “We’ve been working towards this point for three years and we’re grateful that our case to acquire and restore the pier can finally be heard.”
The idea is that once the council owns the pier, to 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 required. The lifeboat service – 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 dilapidated state of the structure.
Stay up to date with the latest on this story and more by signing up to our daily newsletter, delivering our top stories straight to your inbox
It now operates from a temporary base at Knightstone Island. The council has been awarded £4.47m in Government levelling up funding to breathe new life into the landmark.
The authority has also secured emergency funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund of £3.5 million to strengthen the pier legs and create a temporary walkway onto the island. 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.
Mr Canniford said: “We have developed proposals to restore the Grade II* pier and many of the associated buildings, allow the RNLI to use the site once again and the public to visit. This will be transformational to the town and its future.
"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.” The CPO inquiry will take place at 10am at the Grand Atlantic Hotel, Weston-super-Mare."
North Somerset Council expect to hear a decision on the CPO outcome in the autumn. North Somerset Council Heritage Champion Councillor John Crockford-Hawley said: “I’m thrilled we are a huge step closer to renovating Birnbeck Pier and seeing it in use once again. Currently it is on Historic England’s National Building Risk Register.
"The pier was designed by Eugenius Birch, the noted Victorian engineer. It will be wonderful to see it returned and used once again by the town.”
