THE RNLI has submitted a planning application to repair the walkway of Weston-super-Mare’s Birnbeck Pier to restore access to the island.

The RNLI plans to restore access to the pier so they can build a new lifeboat station on Birnbeck Island and once again launch at all states of tide, for which a separate planning application will be submitted.

The charity’s plans are being coordinated with North Somerset Council’s plans to restore the pier.

This planning application — submitted by the RNLI’s appointed architect Studio Four Architects — is focussed on restoring the walkway.

A statement submitted with the planning application warned: “The pier structure and built structures on the island are in extremely poor condition, deteriorating with each winter that passes.

“Repair/restoration works must be urgently carried out before it is lost forever.”

The RNLI stated that although required site investigations and surveys mean that people may have seen contractors and people in safety clothing on the island, it is essential that these visits are done in a carefully managed and coordinated way for safety reasons.

The RNLI warned: “It is an extremely dangerous site, and members of the public should keep away.

“Birnbeck Pier was closed to the public in 1994 due to safety concerns and has continued to deteriorate.

“People are urged not to attempt to walk out to the island at low tide or to cross the pier.”

You can view and comment on the plans here: https://planning.n-somerset.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SJQU1QLP03F00

The application for listed building consent can be seen here: https://planning.n-somerset.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SJQUCKLP03F00