The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has confirmed the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) inquiry on the transfer of Birnbeck Pier to North Somerset Council will take place, with the date to be confirmed. In advance of this the council has been required to submit a statement of case and to make this publicly available.
Compulsory purchase order inquiry – statement of case
A. order and related documents
Some of these documents may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
B. government guidance
Some of these documents may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
C. North Somerset Council strategies
Some of these documents may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
D. North Somerset Council – Full Council and Executive reports and decisions
Some of these documents may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
E. order land and related documents
Some of these documents may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
F. magistrates court proceedings
Some of these documents may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
H. planning, listed buildings consent, and other relevant applications and documents
I. North Somerset Council secured external funding
J. other relevant documents, maps, plans, photographs
Some of these documents may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
K. Birnbeck Holdings Limited statement of case
If you are unable to access any of these documents, there are paper copies available at Weston Library.
The CPO was first served to the Pier’s private owner in 2020. However, due to an objection put to the courts by the owner asking for a ‘stay’, the CPO has not yet been through the formal inquiry process required.
After significant delays to the courts hearing the case, the current owner finally withdrew his case last November. This allowed the formal CPO process to proceed.
The council has been working towards this point for three years. It has 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.
Three phases of funding for the pier have been announced:
- £3.55m emergency funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund to strengthen the pier ‘legs’ and create a temporary walkway onto the island
- the first payment of £234,760 from a £4.525m funding pot from the National Heritage Lottery Fund to develop detailed proposals for the restoration and reuse of Birkbeck’s building
- £4.4m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund
The council and the RNLI have formally agreed to work together to renovate Birnbeck Pier. This will bring vital lifesaving work back onto the island and allow the public access to the Victorian pier.
North Somerset Council is very grateful to their partners and funders:
- RNLI, Historic England
- National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Birnbeck Regeneration Trust
- National Heritage Memorial Fund