Rejected vision to revive Shotley Pier set to be reviewed
Board members of Save Shotley Pier group hope the original plans will get the green light later this year Picture: RACHEL EDGE - Credit: Archant
Rejected plans for the revival of Shotley’s historic pier could be overturned as a planning inspector gets set to take a second look at the decision.
The original proposal, including a cafe, workshop and space for anglers, lost by one vote in a heated debate at Babergh District Council in August 2018, despite council officers recommending the development go ahead.
But now a member of the government’s Planning Inspectorate will decide whether the design gets approved or if the owners have to go back to the drawing board.
The pier was bought by a group of residents and volunteers, the Shotley Heritage Charitable Community Benefit Society, in February 2018 in a bid to restore the tourist attraction from its derelict state.
Sally Chicken, one of the group’s directors, said: “We are very pleased to hear that our appeal is moving forward and the inspectorate have appointed someone to review it independently.
You may also want to watch:
“Even more exciting is the latest grant we have received, a £50,000 from the Coastal Revival Fund, which will let us start work on repairing the piling of the pier and making it safe to walk on, if we win the appeal.
The Coastal Revival Fund, a pot of money distributed by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, is designated for iconic seaside locations to revitalise their attractions and economy. The £50,000 is the maximum amount available per application.
Most Read
- 1 Coleman on Cook: 'If that's indication of his fortune as Ipswich manager, they can book a place in the Championship'
- 2 Popular Woodbridge restaurant set to close
- 3 'Please don't believe everything you read in the media' - Ipswich Town owner Evans addresses takeover reports
- 4 Marcus Evans on Paul Cook: 'He has shown a great desire to become our next manager'
- 5 Ipswich case rate rises, other Suffolk districts among lowest in England
- 6 'The time is not right to fiddle when Rome burns' - Evans outlines Lambert 'disagreements'
- 7 Man taken to hospital with serious leg injuries following collision
- 8 Anger over loss of habitats after pond drained and trees felled
- 9 'Hard work starts now' as East Anglian Freeport gets green light
- 10 'I have no doubt Ipswich will be successful' - Richardson doesn't rule out joining Cook at Town
“We have been applying for more grants as well, so we are definitely heading in the right direction,” added Mrs Chicken.
More than 500 people donated money and purchased shares in the pier to secure its future, with directors applying for additional grants.
The shareholders thrashed out a more modest development since the council vote last year.
An original proposal of 80-seater cafe was scaled down following concerns raised by a nearby pub and two buildings erected either side of the original pier will be shorter and built with flood prevention materials, letting them rise in the event of high tides.
The Planning Inspectorate’s decision will be made after the final comments from all interested parties are submitted on May 14.