This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-25351077
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Vote made to demolish Colwyn Bay pier | Vote made to demolish Colwyn Bay pier |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Colwyn Bay pier is to be demolished, councillors have decided bringing a five-year saga over its future to a close. | Colwyn Bay pier is to be demolished, councillors have decided bringing a five-year saga over its future to a close. |
| A report said restoring the Grade II-listed pier would have cost more than £15m. | |
| Conwy council had a £600,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant awarded to investigate the feasibility of restoring the pier. | Conwy council had a £600,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant awarded to investigate the feasibility of restoring the pier. |
| A group set up to help restore the pier said it will fight the demolition. | A group set up to help restore the pier said it will fight the demolition. |
| The 113-year-old pier has been closed since 2008, and its condition has been deteriorating. | The 113-year-old pier has been closed since 2008, and its condition has been deteriorating. |
| The council signed a deal to purchase the pier in 2012, and was awarded a lottery grant in May to start restoration work. | The council signed a deal to purchase the pier in 2012, and was awarded a lottery grant in May to start restoration work. |
| But it said that it would have to find more cash so that even planning of the restoration work could continue. | But it said that it would have to find more cash so that even planning of the restoration work could continue. |
| 'White elephant' | 'White elephant' |
| On Thursday, councillors voted to begin the process of demolishing the pier which hosted performances from entertainers including Morecambe and Wise, Harry Secombe and musician Elvis Costello. | On Thursday, councillors voted to begin the process of demolishing the pier which hosted performances from entertainers including Morecambe and Wise, Harry Secombe and musician Elvis Costello. |
| In an emotive debate in the council chamber the pier was referred to as both an important part of Colwyn Bay's heritage and a "white elephant". | In an emotive debate in the council chamber the pier was referred to as both an important part of Colwyn Bay's heritage and a "white elephant". |
| Councillors were told that for the first phase of the project to go ahead, an extra £264,282 must be found, but the total cost of restoration was likely to be more than £15m. | Councillors were told that for the first phase of the project to go ahead, an extra £264,282 must be found, but the total cost of restoration was likely to be more than £15m. |
| Ronnie Hughes, the council's deputy leader said: "Nobody is saying where the extra money is coming from. Sometimes its better to pull out and not to mislead people" | Ronnie Hughes, the council's deputy leader said: "Nobody is saying where the extra money is coming from. Sometimes its better to pull out and not to mislead people" |
| But councillor Bob Squire said there was "a massive groundswell of public opinion to save the pier, which can't be ignored". | But councillor Bob Squire said there was "a massive groundswell of public opinion to save the pier, which can't be ignored". |
| 'Heritage destruction' | 'Heritage destruction' |
| "The pier is part of Colwyn Bay's heritage. If we don't pursue the grant, we'll never know what might have been," he said. | "The pier is part of Colwyn Bay's heritage. If we don't pursue the grant, we'll never know what might have been," he said. |
| Councillors had six options to consider, including demolishing the pier, carrying on with the restoration, and restoring only the decking but not the pier pavilions. | Councillors had six options to consider, including demolishing the pier, carrying on with the restoration, and restoring only the decking but not the pier pavilions. |
| But they were told that all the options would cost money. Officials said that even doing nothing would leave the council with an annual bill of £53,000 to keep the pier safe, and other emergency works needed carrying out. | But they were told that all the options would cost money. Officials said that even doing nothing would leave the council with an annual bill of £53,000 to keep the pier safe, and other emergency works needed carrying out. |
| Opponents say they will fight the demolition, firstly by opposing the pier losing its listed status. | Opponents say they will fight the demolition, firstly by opposing the pier losing its listed status. |
| Gavin Davies, director of Shore Thing which was set up to help restore the pier, said: "We should not give up on the pier. It may be impossible, but we don't know that yet. Local opinion supports restoration, and we need to do something. | Gavin Davies, director of Shore Thing which was set up to help restore the pier, said: "We should not give up on the pier. It may be impossible, but we don't know that yet. Local opinion supports restoration, and we need to do something. |
| "There are no grants for heritage destruction, and it may take years to de-list the pier. I urge you to have faith." | "There are no grants for heritage destruction, and it may take years to de-list the pier. I urge you to have faith." |
| The pier's former owner, Steve Hunt, was sitting in the public gallery during the debate. | The pier's former owner, Steve Hunt, was sitting in the public gallery during the debate. |
| A legal battle between him and the council is continuing, with both sides claiming they own it. | A legal battle between him and the council is continuing, with both sides claiming they own it. |
| Afterwards, Mr Hunt said: "No-one can do anything until the legal case is settled, and that isn't due to be heard until June of next year. | Afterwards, Mr Hunt said: "No-one can do anything until the legal case is settled, and that isn't due to be heard until June of next year. |
| "This could take years to unravel." | "This could take years to unravel." |