D-day for Colwyn Bay pier as cabinet votes to back demolition11 Mar 2014 12:52Councillors will vote today on whether to press ahead with the demolition of Colwyn’s Bay pier.
Knocking down the Victoria landmark would “remove an eyesore and dangerous structure from a public beach”, officers say.
Conwy Council’s Cabinet members are being asked to formally back scrapping the Grade II listed pier, after the full council decided to seek to de-list and demolish the historic but dilapidated building, saying that redevelopment was not a viable option.
However, there is an ongoing ownership battle between the local authority and former owner Steve Hunt, with a Cardiff county court hearing to resolve the issue set for April 14-16.
Members are being asked to agree to demolish the pier, and approve its interim management to ensure public safety. They are also seeking to re-enforce the promenade’s link to the town centre at that point.
The recommendation is that elements of the pier’s structure and heritage would be preserved and the public are clearly told the reasons for demolition.
But Gavin Davies, director of Shore Thing, a pressure group set up in support of the pier, said last night: “I can’t understand why Conwy Council want to demolish a pier they don’t actually own. The Land Registry states that Steve Hunt still owns it. The council are jumping ahead.”
Mr Davies said Shore Thing representatives last week met Welsh Secretary David Jones, the Clwyd West MP, and will meet Clwyd West Am Darren Millar soon to discuss the issues.
Mr Davies also said a Hastings Pier campaigner calculates it would cost £9m to restore and redevelop – not the £15m Conwy Council has mooted.
Mr Davies said: “The business plan we put to the Heritage Lottery Fund still stands. We are still working towards that outcome but not with Conwy Council anymore.
“Our main aim is to work towards a sustainable pier that will not cost the taxpayer any money to maintain.”
He said it will cost Conwy Council £53,000 in 2014-2015 simply for security and maintenance. He added: “It could have shops, a restaurant and a place for people to fish. That would generate income for the pier and its maintenance.”
Chef Bryn Williams is due to open a bistro at Porth Eirias although the timetable has slipped towards the summer.
And Mr Davies said: “The continued absence of a bistro operating at Porth Eirias underlines that people wanting somewhere to eat have nowhere to go.
“There were mobile burger vans there last year but there is only one waterfront kiosk left and that isn’t open.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/d-day-colwyn-bay-pier-colwyn-6798916
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