PLANS have been submitted which – if approved – will see work carried out to restore Birnbeck Pier and Island in Weston-Super-Mare.

Haverstock, the contractor overseeing restoration plans on the island for North Somerset Council (NSC), has submitted a planning application for a new section of the site.

The latest on proposals for Birnbeck Pier and Island include:

• fitting out the South Toll House (Grade II Listed), Shell Shop and Pier View landside buildings
  reinstating the landside historic Grade II Listed gate line
• work to stabilise the pavilion on Birnbeck Island and create a new toilet block
• refurbishing and fitting out the 1888 boathouse, to include a café with accessible toilet and a flexible recreational community space
• public realm work to include installing lighting and information points, creating safe public access on the island, landscaping and work on the car park

The overall redevelopment of the site – the only pier in the country to link to an island – will require multiple planning applications.

The restoration and renovation work proposed within this application – for Phase 2b – is subject to an additional bid for funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund due to be determined by next spring, the council said.

Cllr Mark Canniford, the council’s executive member responsible for placemaking, as well as local ward member, said: “It’s great to see more significant milestones being achieved as momentum builds in the delivery of this complex project.

“Last month we submitted our bid to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an additional £7m in funding, and this planning application sets out the work we intend to deliver if that bid is successful.

“I’m particularly pleased to see clear proposals for delivering our aspiration to create a safe and accessible route for people around the island. We want visitors to explore and enjoy as much of the heritage of the island as possible.”

Tom Gibb, a partner at Haverstock, added: “We’re excited to submit this application as the next step in restoring important details and expanding visitors’ experience of the site.

“Our proposed interventions aim to secure the continued survival of the site while conserving Birnbeck’s rich fabric. This phase in the conservation of Birnbeck Pier would allow the creation of a public space that is safe and accessible for everyone.”

To find out more about the Birnbeck Pier project, visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/birnbeckpierproject.