Poll

What should be done with Colwyn Bay Pier?

Demolish it
Carry out basic renovation (spend up to £5m)
Carry out comprehensive renovation, including all buildings (spend up to £10m)

Author Topic: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier  (Read 386043 times)

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Offline mull

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #750 on: March 08, 2016, 05:39:51 pm »
Thanks for the photos.
Did not realise it was that bad.
Not been closer than passing on the A55 for many years.

Offline DaveR

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #751 on: March 09, 2016, 09:31:52 am »
The shoreward end pavilion is in a terrible state, the landward end building is in better condition but needs significant work.


Offline SteveH

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #752 on: March 30, 2016, 03:21:05 pm »
Campaign group chairman unveils new plan to save Colwyn Bay Pier

THE HEAD of a Colwyn Bay campaign group has unveiled a new plan to save the town's Victoria Pier.

Mark Roberts, who took over as chairman of the Colwyn Bay Victoria Pier Trust at the group's AGM this month, said he will push for the pier to be dismantled in order to examine all of its components and their viability.

Mr Roberts, a freelance planning and environmental law consultant, said once the components have been properly examined and cleaned or replaced, the trust will have a much better idea of the true condition of the structure, and therefore how much work will be required to restore it.

He said: "Nobody seems to know with any degree of clarity what the condition of the pier is, in the previous admission by the council there were conflicting reports - that was ultimately one of the reasons demolition was refused.

"The direction we're going is to dismantle the pier - dismantling is not demolition.
"It is a concept in listed building legislation case law whereby you have the building dismantled and take the individual elements away - you can look at them to see if they need replacing, cleaning or fixing.
"The idea is to have a temporary structure erected where you can take these elements to see if they have longevity. If not they will need to be replaced.
"It has to be one continuous process, you can't dismantle it and leave it in storage."

Mr Roberts, who has 40 years of experience in town and country planning, has worked for local authorities on a number of projects across the UK including the regeneration of Castell Deudracth for Gwynedd County Council and the Gas Street Canal Basin regeneration scheme for Birmingham City Council, as well as projects Snowdonia National Park Authority.

He added he hopes in the long term to form connections with educational establishments across North Wales such as colleges, to use the pier as an opportunity for heritage related education.
Mr Roberts, 62, also said the trust had already begun looking into different grants and funding avenues to continue its work, and that conversation had already begun with Conwy County Borough Council to seek permission for dismantling the structure.

He added: "This is for the community, it's not for any individual. The ultimate objective is to make sure the pier is saved for future generations and the present one."

http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/160336/campaign-group-chairman-unveils-new-plan-to-save-colwyn-bay-pier.aspx


Offline SteveH

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #753 on: April 10, 2016, 05:06:30 pm »
Competition to celebrate Colwyn Bay Victoria Pier
BUDDING artists are being invited to submit their works to celebrate Colwyn Bay's Victoria Pier.

The 'Year of the Pier Calendar Competition' is being run by the Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust and invites anyone to submit their artwork involving the pier before midnight on July 31 2016.
The art - which could end up in a calendar - can be in the form of a photo, digital image, painting, sketch - any form of work focused on the pier.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "CVPT feelsan art competition is a fantastic way to celebrate the pier's heritage and place on our coastline.
"CVPT wants all sectors of the community involved - young and old -  because a restored and re-purposed pier will have something to offer everyone. We believe that for this project to be successful, all contributions need to be encouraged and valued equally."

"The pier is an enormous asset to the community and needs to be treasured. The potential offered is huge - for education, employment, tourism, the economy - Colwyn Bay could be on the map again if we all unite and make the most of our pier."

Entries, which must be sent with artist's name and contact details, can be submitted through the trust's facebook (search 'Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust Campaign') and twitter (@piercolwyn), or via email at info@cvpt.co.uk
Original copies can also be taken to the Pier Shop on Abergele Road (pictured) or the Glass Lounge Cafe
For more information about the competition and full terms and conditions, contact the trust by emailing info@cvptrust.co.uk or visit the trust's facebook page

http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/160722/competition-to-celebrate-colwyn-bay-victoria-pier.aspx

Offline DaveR

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #754 on: April 11, 2016, 09:28:21 am »
Campaign group chairman unveils new plan to save Colwyn Bay Pier

THE HEAD of a Colwyn Bay campaign group has unveiled a new plan to save the town's Victoria Pier.

Mark Roberts, who took over as chairman of the Colwyn Bay Victoria Pier Trust at the group's AGM this month, said he will push for the pier to be dismantled in order to examine all of its components and their viability.

Mr Roberts, a freelance planning and environmental law consultant, said once the components have been properly examined and cleaned or replaced, the trust will have a much better idea of the true condition of the structure, and therefore how much work will be required to restore it.

He said: "Nobody seems to know with any degree of clarity what the condition of the pier is, in the previous admission by the council there were conflicting reports - that was ultimately one of the reasons demolition was refused.

"The direction we're going is to dismantle the pier - dismantling is not demolition.
"It is a concept in listed building legislation case law whereby you have the building dismantled and take the individual elements away - you can look at them to see if they need replacing, cleaning or fixing.
"The idea is to have a temporary structure erected where you can take these elements to see if they have longevity. If not they will need to be replaced.
"It has to be one continuous process, you can't dismantle it and leave it in storage."

Mr Roberts, who has 40 years of experience in town and country planning, has worked for local authorities on a number of projects across the UK including the regeneration of Castell Deudracth for Gwynedd County Council and the Gas Street Canal Basin regeneration scheme for Birmingham City Council, as well as projects Snowdonia National Park Authority.

He added he hopes in the long term to form connections with educational establishments across North Wales such as colleges, to use the pier as an opportunity for heritage related education.
Mr Roberts, 62, also said the trust had already begun looking into different grants and funding avenues to continue its work, and that conversation had already begun with Conwy County Borough Council to seek permission for dismantling the structure.

He added: "This is for the community, it's not for any individual. The ultimate objective is to make sure the pier is saved for future generations and the present one."

http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/160336/campaign-group-chairman-unveils-new-plan-to-save-colwyn-bay-pier.aspx
Sounds promising; let's hope Mr Roberts is able to push the pier project forward out of the mire in which it has sunk...

Offline SteveH

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #755 on: May 10, 2016, 03:37:05 pm »
REF   Pioneer
Colwyn Bay pier inspection is key to future demolition plans
AN inspection of Colwyn Bay’s Victoria Pier has been launched.
 
Data from the new inspection will be used to guide a new bid to demolish the structure, council bosses have said.
Engineers have been appointed to provide an update on the pier’s condition, the results of which will also provide key information for Conwy County Borough Council’s listed building consent application.
 
A spokesperson for Conwy County Council said the inspection work, which began at the end of April, is expected to take up to four weeks.
The survey will feature the use of a drone as well as a mobile elevated working platform to view inaccessible areas of the structure.
 
Cllr Dilwyn Roberts, leader of Conwy County Borough Council, said: “Over recent years, we have carried out inspections periodically on the pier to monitor the rate of deterioration.
“The results of this inspection will not only be a snapshot of its current condition, but will also guide the council’s resubmission to the minister for listed building consent to demolish.”

Conwy County Council confirmed in January this year that despite having its first application to demolish the pier rejected last year by Carl Sargeant AM work had begun on a second bid to demolish the pier.
 
Cllr Abdul Khan had described the decision to apply again as “immature”, after it was stated by the Welsh Government the demolition was not justified while there remains the unexplored possibility of retaining more of the Grade II listed pier.

Offline Fester

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #756 on: May 10, 2016, 06:46:43 pm »

Cllr Abdul Khan had described the decision to apply again as “immature”, after it was stated by the Welsh Government the demolition was not justified while there remains the unexplored possibility of retaining more of the Grade II listed pier.

Shouldn't that be ''premature''??
Fester...
- Semper in Excretum, Sole Profundum Variat -

Offline SteveH

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #757 on: May 10, 2016, 08:02:09 pm »

Cllr Abdul Khan had described the decision to apply again as “immature”, after it was stated by the Welsh Government the demolition was not justified while there remains the unexplored possibility of retaining more of the Grade II listed pier.

Shouldn't that be ''premature''??

We are talking about councilors here ?

Offline SteveH

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #758 on: August 14, 2016, 11:48:48 am »
Ask Daily Post: What is going on with Colwyn Bay Pier?

We recently asked our readers to pose a question about North Wales when they didn’t know who else to ask.
A total of 28.2% of respondents in this Google Survey voted to know if Colwyn Bay pier will be demolished.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/whats-happening-colwyn-bay-pier-11746721

Offline SteveH

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #759 on: December 04, 2016, 05:43:17 pm »
Demolition looms for Colwyn Bay's Victoria Pier in bitter legal battle

Businessman Steven Hunt has lost his final bid at the Court of Appeal to claim ownership of the derelict structure.

Full article...videos.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/demolition-looms-colwyn-bays-victoria-12270404

Offline BMD

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #760 on: December 04, 2016, 08:38:53 pm »
I find the whole situation sad and disgraceful - a massive wasted opportunity. When you think that the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded the pier a grant in 2013 and signalled more funding possible - with much optimism at the time (only for CCBC to quickly return the grant 6 months later, when it decided - very much against local opinion and in a hurried, ill-informed decision - to demolish).

Consider how CCBC has bent over backwards, money seemingly no object, to push forward the rest of the Waterfront Redevelopment project - while pretty much ignoring the huge public support in favour of attempting to save the pier. Consider the time and energy that CCBC has put into promoting everything BUT the possibility of pursuing the restoration of the pier. Going by the overwhelming evidence, I think they always wanted to get rid of it (for reasons unknown to me).

Offline DaveR

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #761 on: December 05, 2016, 11:42:29 am »
I think CCBC want to control everything. If you think about it, the Pier was the only privately owned structure along the Prom. They didn't want anything that would potentially be a success, thus taking money from their own business activities.

Offline Gaffzilla

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #762 on: December 05, 2016, 05:51:26 pm »
I was born in Llandudno and lived with my Gran in Penryhn Bay. I remember many happy times in Colwyn Bay, on the beach (where I took my first steps) and on and around the pier, riding the mechanical elephant and the miniature railway, and of course the Welsh Fargo up to Eirias Park. I was shocked to see the decline of this wonderful town when I visited during a recent summer, it appeared to have very few holidaymakers and tourism at a depressing low. The pier is one of the shabbiest and most neglected structures imaginable. If a private individual had allowed this they would be prosecuted, why should the council get away with it?

Offline SteveH

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #763 on: December 06, 2016, 10:12:44 am »
Fight will go on to save Colwyn Bay Pier vow campaigners.

Interesting comments  from......
Colwyn Bay Councillor David P Griffiths says he believes the pier can still be saved.
He continued: “The Bay of Colwyn is desperately in need of a multi-functional suite that can be used for weddings, dinner and buffet dances as well as a heritage focal point for a promenade that needs to embrace its past as well as the surrounding modern architecture that includes Porth Eirias which in my view is more in need of refurbishment than the Pier.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/fight-go-save-colwyn-bay-12277895

Offline born2run

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Re: The long running saga of Colwyn Bay Pier
« Reply #764 on: December 06, 2016, 11:11:10 am »
To be honest a lot of these people fighting to save it may not necessarily care for it that much themselves. It's more that a few key individuals in their group of them have stood up against it and so all their other friends also feel compelled to join the campaign.

Basically it's pier pressure.


 :twoface:

I'm here all week. Two shows on the Saturday  D)