John and local community group – The Birnbeck Regeneration Trust – have renewed calls to rescue the Pier. In addition, the group battling to save Birnbeck says the damage caused during Storm Frank will not undermine its long-term rescue plans
Weston’s MP John Penrose called on Birnbeck’s owners, CNM Estates, to urgently act before more of the structure is destroyed.
CNM is in the process of negotiating a 25-year lease with the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust, but the details of this have not yet been finalised.
Mr Penrose said: “I’m afraid many of us have been predicting that a big storm would damage this important piece of Weston’s heritage – there’s no pleasure in being proven right.
“CNM has owned Birnbeck Pier for several years now, without making anything like enough progress. It needs to act urgently to save the pier while it’s still there to save.”
This sentiment was echoed by North Somerset councillor Richard Nightingale, who has worked closely with the trust during the past year.
Cllr Nightingale said: “The trust’s dedication and determination to tackle such a large and difficult project has impressed me.
“However, we all recognise that Birnbeck remains in private hands, which complicates both the trust’s and the council’s efforts. Any building owner though has a responsibility for their property, regardless of the condition it was bought in.”