THE first phase of work to restore Birnbeck Pier was given the green light today (Wednesday, August 21) by North Somerset Council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the planning application, which was submitted in April on North Somerset Council’s behalf by architect practice Haverstock.

This gives planning consent to:

• Restore Pier Master’s Cottage and reinstate the bell tower, extending the building to the north to create space for a café intended to open to the public all year round.

• Create other visitor facilities, including toilets.

• Carry out 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, and

• Provide essential services and infrastructure to the whole site – the landside buildings, the island and the pier itself – including work underground on water and sewage pumps, and to install a new fit-for-purpose electricity substation.

Work is planned to start later this year on the landside buildings to enable them to reopen to the public in 2025.

This phase will be funded by the UK government, from a £20m allocation awarded to the council through the former Levelling Up Fund.

Elements of this work are necessary to enable subsequent phases of the project to take place, including restoring the pier itself and re-establishing the RNLI’s lifeboat station on Birnbeck Island.

Separate planning applications are expected to be submitted by the RNLI in the coming weeks.

Councillor Mark Canniford, the council's executive member responsible for placemaking, as well as local ward member, said: “With the first planning application now approved, we can move forward with work on the landside buildings and getting the infrastructure ready for future phases.

“While there’s still a significant way to go with this very complex project, I’m mindful that a great deal of unseen work has led us to this point and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved.

“Keep up the good work – and the momentum – on this significant restoration project for the benefit of Weston-super-Mare and the wider area.”

The whole project – to restore Birnbeck Pier and Island – has been made possible thanks to funding from the RNLI, UK government, National Heritage Memorial Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.

To find out more about the Birnbeck Pier project, visit the information hub next to the pier or the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/birnbeckpierproject.