The end of the ( West ) Pier?

[Zeitgeist]

According to Meridian tonight, English heritage have withdrawn their backing for the restoration of the West pier. Both the West Pier trust and Ken Bodfish sound as though they are ready to throw in the towel. Very sad, but it needs to be put out of it's misery. Seems the "ignoble arsonists" have got their way?

 

[CHAPPERS]

A travesty, another piece of Brighton dies.



Goodbye.

 

[perseus]

The owners of the pier should NOT be absolved of the blame for failing to maintain the Pier as they were legally required to do. It was their fault: the arsonists just helped the inevitable.

It was past redemption in 1971 though, when the diver doing the maintenance was pulled out either for his own safety or because the owners could not be bothered.

 

[Yorkie]

So who pays for its destruction?

It cannot be allowed just to rot now as it is a hazard to the beach and to shipping.

 

[Robot Chicken]

From the English Heritage website:

Brighton's West Pier
A credible restoration of the West Pier in Brighton is no longer possible, English Heritage has announced. The conclusion that the pier is beyond rescue is the result of a lengthy review process, and is also in large part due to the damage suffered by the pier in the freak storms of June this year. English Heritage brought forward its announcement, originally scheduled for September, because of the health and safety concerns surrounding the weather-damaged structure.

Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said ‘This is a terribly disappointing outcome, but common sense has to prevail when historic structures are so badly damaged that they cannot realistically be saved. The most important thing now is that the marvellous artefacts that have been salvaged from the pier over the years are made accessible and that Eugenius Birch’s masterpiece can be commemorated properly.’

Since January 2004 English Heritage has been working on an intensive review of all the options for the future of the pier, including commissioning a business plan, costings, and funding and maintenance strategies for a restored pier.

Dr Andrew Brown, Regional Director for English Heritage in the South East, said ‘Based on our review, I had high hopes that the pier could have been restored to its original 1866 elegance, although it would still have been an enormous challenge to raise over £20 million to make the scheme a reality. Tragically, the storm destroyed the section of the structure where the character of Birch’s pier was most apparent - it was the lightest and most graceful part of the design. Although it remains technically possible to rebuild the pier accurately using the drawings and photographs that have been collected over the years, it would not now be the real West Pier but largely a reproduction. Sadly, we have had to conclude that it would be irresponsible for English Heritage to support any further bid for public money for the pier when the heritage merit of the project is no longer clear.’

‘My thoughts go out to the people who have fought tirelessly for the restoration of the pier over the years. We must thank all those who have worked with us so closely in recent months, the Council, the West Pier Trust and others who have shared with us their passion for the pier. We are very sorry that we have had to conclude that the time has come to let go of the hopes that united us.’

English Heritage Report

Notes to Editors

The West Pier, one of only two Grade One listed piers in England, was the most important pier ever built. It inspired copies all around the UK coast and beyond. It became one of the iconic images of the English seaside and formed the backdrop for numerous films and party conferences. It fell into decline after the Second World War, however, and closed in the 1970s owing to safety worries.

After many schemes came and went in the subsequent years, a scheme for restoration to be funded by new development at the shore end of the pier, supported by English Heritage, was finally given permission by the Council in 2003. Only days afterwards, the first of two disastrous fires severely damaged the pier. Even these fires were not enough to prevent restoration plans from progressing. It was not until the Heritage Lottery Fund declined to contribute to the scheme in January 2004 that the rescue proposals fell flat.

English Heritage undertook to review the options in a last ditch effort to find a future for the pier and had been assessing the feasibility of a trimmed down repair and restoration scheme based on the 1866 promenade pier design. The unseasonal storms of June 2004 brought these plans to an abrupt halt.

Rebuilding of the pier remains technically possible, but it would no longer possess the historic credibility English Heritage would seek in the restoration of a Grade I listed building. Our review indicates that the project would cost in excess of £20 million and the pier could not be guaranteed to last for many years without an additional £5 million repair fund being set up. English Heritage has therefore concluded that it would have to advise any body considering funding a restoration of the West Pier that there is no longer a strong conservation case to support such a project.

For more information please contact Helen Nesbitt, English Heritage Corporate Communications, 0207 973 3855 helen.nesbitt@english-heritage.org.uk.

English Heritage Link

 

[sullyupthewing]

West Pier RIP, killed by do gooders.

 

[Kryten]

How it was let to get to this stage is a travesty

Noble - murderers of the west pier

 

[Robot Chicken]

hmm, but Nobel saved the Palace Pier, without them both piers would've eventually fallen into the sea.

 

[Kryten]

hmm, but Nobel saved the Palace Pier, without them both piers would've eventually fallen into the sea.

but look what else they've done to the place pier. Noble have put up a hell of a lot more rides, most of which have at some point had planning permission refused. they conveniently have a fire on a ride which they wanted to get rid of, and replace, but weren't allowed. they change the name of the pier. Most, if not all of this was turned down at first by council, because it was a listed building, yet they still go ahead. The pier just looks cheap and tacky.

 

[timseagull]

Why is it Brighton lets its great buildings rot away? The West Pier, Embassy court, the old great hotels, the old streets replaced by car parks.

Very sad

 

[Northstander]

Cant we get Roman Abramovich to do it, call it Chelsea west pier!

 

[Pevenseagull]

I guess that all the vultures buzzing around it have used up all of the money having fancy lunches whilst pontificating on the best course of action.

I wonder how much has been blown to date acheiving the square route of sweet FA?

 

[GUNTER]

Congratulations to the Noble organisation or NIMBY seafront residents for managing to get the pier burnt down and in the process, wrecking a fantastic piece of Brighton history.

True Brightonians are gutted. It now needs to be pulled down as it is an eyesore.

 

[goldstone]

Congratulations to the Noble organisation or NIMBY seafront residents for managing to get the pier burnt down and in the process, wrecking a fantastic piece of Brighton history.

True Brightonians are gutted. It now needs to be pulled down as it is an eyesore.

Hear hear!

Can't believe that no one has been able to pin the West Pier fires on Noble. Bastards.

 

[¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤]

Nothing ever gets done in this bloody city

 

[Weezle]

Terrible shame. Wdy did the NIMBYs not want it there? Surely it only enhanced the view and value of their properties on the Seafront.

For me the West Pier will live on in my memory like the Goldstone Ground. Unfortunately i can't avoid the seafront so i will have to face seeing the big gaping hole every time i pass.

 

[chips and gravy]

Should've let Chris Eubank take on the project a few years ago. Or was that more self-seeking publicity on his part?

 

[Tom Bombadil]

West Pier RIP, killed by do gooders.

How exactly?

 

[Bwian]

Nothing ever gets done in this bloody city

It's because of all the frigging NIMBYs. Has always been the same and looks as though it will get even worse with all of the new money arriving and buying up every property on the market!

Next to crumble away will be the King Alfred because of NIMBYism. Brighton and Hove portrays itself as the modern city by the sea whereas it is firmly stuck in the 19th century when it comes to moving forward. None of us want it to become like Blackpool (not being disrepectful to Blackpool because it has its place and does what it does well enough to attract MILLIONS every year despite the shittiest weather) but Brighton needs to catch up. It is no longer possible to expect uncluttered views all round from one's windows-the country is filling up and the frigging NIMBYs need to realise that.

Brighton is a great place to live in and to visit but there are so many people so far up their own butts that hold the place back it is annoying!

Leave the West Pier as it is-don't demolish what's left. Leave it as a monument to NIMBYism, cronyism and so-far-up-their-own-backside-ism!

 

[Lammy]

What annoys me the most is the people who move down to my beloved county as it is the greatest place in the country. They arrive here and then want to keep it exactely as it is whilst they wait to die. What they are forgetting is that Brighton and Sussex is the place it is today because of the locals not the recent influx of cocknies and old bids who want a piece of our pie!