Plans to rebuild Wirral’s famous pier a step nearer as agency agrees to £12,000 study

Mar 4 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

PROPOSALS to build a new pier at New Brighton have moved forward a step, with the agreement of the North West Development Agency to pay for a study of the scheme.

Last year, the Daily Post revealed that the famous Wirral pier could be rebuilt, almost three decades after it was dismantled.

Wirral Council said it planned to commission a feasibility study into recreating the landmark from the resort’s hey-day, in what would be only the second new pier in the UK since World War II.

At a meeting of Wirral’s cabinet senior councillors agreed to ask developers Neptune, who are re-developing the seafront area, to organise the feasibility study.

Rob Mason, of Neptune Developments, said they were “encouraged and excited by the progress we are making with the pier project”.

He said: “This would be a fantastic attraction and a potent symbol for the revival of New Brighton and its important links with Liverpool.”

It is understood that the NWDA will underwrite the entire £210,000 cost of the study which will be done in two parts, with engineers assessing flood risk, ecological impact and planning factors.

The feasibility study would then also examine the business case for such a development.

Last year, a report by deputy chief executive of Wirral Council, Jim Wilkie, said: “The target area for the study will be in the waterfront area of Victoria Road, alongside the position of the old pier, on land owned by the council, though other possible sites may also be examined.”

It comes as the seaside town begins to look forward to massive redevelopment following the approval of a major two-part scheme to revitalise it.

The old Floral Pavilion theatre has been demolished and work is progressing on re-building the popular venue as part of the £17m first phase of development.

An outline planning application for a £45m second phase was approved by the Planning Committee in October, 2007.

New Brighton councillor and cabinet member for regeneration, Pat Hackett, said “exciting times are around the corner” for the resort.

He said: “Another iconic feature from New Brighton’s past – with a modern twist – could return.

“This would be something for and of the 21st century.”

liammurphy