The crumbling north jetty on Weston-super-Mare’s Birnbeck Pier is no closer to being demolished, six months after the developer was forced to stop work as it did not have the necessary permissions in place.
CNM Estates, which owns the disintegrating structure in Birnbeck Road, was granted permission last year to pull down the north jetty after it was served a safety notice by North Somerset Council.
Contractors got to work four months later, and were seen creating a roadway from the top of the cliff, next to a closed café, down to Birnbeck Island.
Tonnes of shingle was dumped on the cliff face in the process, despite this being a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
MORE: Birnbeck Pier pictured through the decades.
Workmen were ordered to down tools as the council said CNM did not have the necessary permissions in place to create an access road.
Six months on, CNM has kept the council in the dark over when the jetty may be demolished, while the company has failed to respond to numerous requests to comment by the Mercury.
When the council granted CNM permission to demolish the jetty, it was originally presumed the work would be done by barge.
A council spokesman said: “Following the unauthorised works to create an access onto Spring Cove, we understand the developer is seeking advice from Natural England. We are waiting for a response from the developer in light of this advice.
“We have asked for additional information relating to the proposed Spring Cove (land-based) access and any other proposed accesses, but the delay is with the developer.”
MORE: ‘We will keep watch’ on Birnbeck’s owners – North Somerset Council.
The council confirmed CNM will have to remove the shingle and materials beside the café in Birnbeck Road and return the site to its previous condition.
The spokesman added: “Any impact on the Severn Estuary, which is an SSSI, is subject to a Marine Management Licence and SSSI consent.
“These consents are dealt with by the Marine Management Organisation and Natural England and will be required for the demolition works for the jetty.
“It is unclear at the moment if the developer proposes a land-based access (which is very likely to need planning permission) or a water-based access.”
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