Weston’s MP John Penrose is delighted by today’s news that Birnbeck Pier’s owners will be served with an official ‘Repairs Notice’, giving them two months to put the Pier right.
John’s involvement with the decaying grade 2* listed building first began when he got Heritage Minister Ed Vaizey MP to come and see it more than 6 years ago. He got English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund involved, and since then has worked with North Somerset Council and the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust to harry its owners, arguing they should either do it up or stand aside for someone who will.
John said “This is an important next step in ratcheting up the pressure on the dreadful, useless owners of Birnbeck Pier. They’ve been sitting on it for years, doing nothing while it slowly falls into the sea. It’s time for them to act, or to stand aside for new owners who will. Full marks to English Heritage and the Council for turning up the heat.”