Conwy Council clearly intend to run the town down to the ground, as it's been trying for years. Who in their right mind would wan't to destroy any listed building? And I doubt Cadw will ever list The Carbuncle Skip on the prom, however the 60s rubbish on the pier does need to be demolished and maybe the Pavillion also, and perhaps a new Victorian Style Cafe and an activity hub on the renovated Pier would work well.
As with any old building that is in a poor state of repair (And the council can be applauded for allowing this listed building they own,not be repaired in anyway, thus it's current state is a tool to push for demolition, Neglected in their favour!) The building needs to be looked at as it will be when it's restored not in it's period of decay.
If we only looked at the latter we would save nothing. And let's be honest, Piers are fragile, Llandudno could follow the same fate at anytime, but look at the visitors it brings, so destroying the golden egg in Colwyn Bay would be a foolish move.
Maybe the trust need to bypass the Council and go directly to the welsh government, and also consider legal action against the council. A friend of my wife's who is a barrister stated that the trust have a very strong case on a number of legal issues the council have either failed or broken, Maybe this is the route to follow as clearly the council have their own agenda.
Published date: 24 December 2015 |
Published by: Steve Craddock Read more articles by Steve Craddock Email reporter
A COUNCIL has defended its decision to pursue the demolition of Colwyn Bay’s Victoria Pier.
Mark Pavey, a consultant for Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust, says Conwy County Council should admit it has abandoned its twin track approach of both supporting the trust in its Heritage Lottery Fund bids and is now only seeking Cadw’s permission to de-list it and demolish it. Mr Pavey said: “The twin track approach was never formulated in any meaningful sense - they were going to do what they were doing but look at the business case and look at the options.
“But there needs to be understanding that there is no twin track approach. They are refusing to speak to the Trust, who have employed architects, business planners and consultants.
“Is it a good use of tax payers’ money to pay for architects through the town hall’s coffers when they’re being blocked by senior council officers? Or is that a waste?
“It’s clear from what the Heritage Lottery Fund says that we have to have an open channel of communication with the local authority for any future bid. I’m trying to come up with ideas but they don’t want to discuss it.”
A spokesperson for Conwy County Borough Council said the authority intended to demolish the pier, while the Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust aimed to restore it, which was the ‘twin track’ and that nothing had changed with regards to its approach.
David Jones, MP for Clwyd West, said: “I can’t see that the council has taken a twin track approach at all.
“If they have always intended to demolish it, where is their second track? the statement is meaningless.”
Mr Jones also commended the Bay of Colwyn Town Council for its continuing support for the trust’s aims, stating that the “community most affected by demolition wants the pier redeveloped”.
In May, the Heritage Lottery Fund rejected a £9.6m grant bid to restore the 115-year-old structure, citing a lack of support from Conwy Council.
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