UPDATES on Weston-super-Mare’s regeneration projects including Birnbeck Pier will be discussed at the next full council meeting.

Progress on North Somerset Council’s multi-million pound placemaking and regeneration programme in Weston-super-Mare is set to be discussed at September’s full council meeting.

The report includes delivery updates on the council’s ambitious placemaking vision for the town, in particular Birnbeck Pier and other projects made possible thanks to the council’s successful bid for £20m from the UK government (formerly Levelling Up Fund).

Updates on the progress of the Birnbeck Pier project include a new and additional bid for £10m submitted by the council to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the progression of planning applications for different stages of the project, and the initial stage of work to carry out emergency repairs being approved by the council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee last month (August 2024).

The Birnbeck Pier restoration capital project is wholly funded by grants obtained by the council. Funding has so far been secured from:

• RNLI

• UK government

• National Heritage Memorial Fund - emergency funding from the UK government Cultural Assets Fund (CAF)

• The National Lottery Heritage Fund (an initial grant of £234,761 to enable plans to progress for a full grant application of £4.2m at a later date)

• Historic England.

Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council's executive member responsible for placemaking, said: “These projects will have great benefits for Weston, helping boost its year-round economy and heritage, providing new facilities for residents and attracting new visitors and investors.

“I’m very conscious that we, like many other councils across the country, are increasingly having to make difficult financial decisions based on available funding.

“I’m pleased therefore that we have managed to find solutions to support the Birnbeck Pier project through an additional application for funding and the reallocation of other grant funding.

“This avoids the need for us to consider using any of the council’s own revenue or capital budgets, which we know we simply can’t afford.

“The grants cannot be used to fund other council services such as road improvements or additional services.

“The programme will see massive investment in our town, which has only been possible thanks to the valued support from external funders.

“I would also like to thank the local people who continue to support and contribute to these projects, including the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust and Friends of the Old Pier, we truly value their efforts.”

More information is available in the report published on Monday, September 9 on the council’s website.

The meeting will be held in the town hall, Weston-super-Mare, at 6pm on Tuesday, September 17, and will also be broadcast online.

To find out more about the Birnbeck Pier project, visit the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/birnbeckpier and for information about the improvement programme in Weston, visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/improvingweston.