New hopes for Colwyn Bay Pier

Dec 30 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

THE regeneration of Colwyn Bay’s Victoria Pier could be kick-started by town council funding.

At a finance meeting in the new year councillors will vote whether to allocate part of the annual budget to repairing the structure.

The proposal was put forward by Cllr Brian Cossey who wants to use Colwyn Town Council funding to kick-start the pier’s regeneration, if ownership can be attained by a charitable trust or a not for profit company.

Made up of volunteers The Colwyn Bay Pier Pressure Group is already working towards ownership, with assistance from Conwy County Council. Cllr Cossey hopes by the town council investing in the pier’s renovation and committing itself financially, Lottery grants may follow suit as match funding- but only once the pier is switched from private ownership.

The pier’s renovation would cost £5.5 million, according to a Conwy County Council commissioned survey. The pier is currently in the hands of administrators Royce Peeling Green, following former owner Steve hunt being bankrupted.

“I’m optimistic that working with the pier pressure group a solution can be found in 2011,” said Cllr Cossey.

“I think the town council could give money if it was in private ownership. They could be able to assist part of some sort of rescue package as a charitable company or a not for profit organisation. I just want the town council to be prepared and be involved if everything is right.”

A vote by councillors on the matter was due to taken at a cancelled finance meeting at the town hall following the snowy weather. Cllr Cossey explained a Masterplan drawn up by consultants DPP Shape, as a template for Colwyn Bay’s development using Assembly strategic regeneration funds, acknowledges the pier as central to its plans. He also believes Welsh heritage guardians, Cadw would not allow for the listed building to be demolished, despite a county council-funded engineers’ report highlighting the structure as a danger in the autumn.

“The pier pressure group are so committed to finding a solution. I think the pier pressure still very important, if you look at the Masterplan that DPP Shape drawn up, they said if the pier isn’t there that there still needs to be a focal point at that location,” said Cllr Cossey.

“So it might as well be the pier, in some shape or form. With it being a listed building and with the engineers’ report saying how so much of the pier is still in a reasonable repair it is unlikely Cadw would agree for it to be demolished. I would be very sad to see that happen and so some sort of solution has to be found in 2011.”