. CNM Estates has now withdrawn its objections to the CPO and the pier has been sold for £400,000. It is the only pier in the UK to link to an island and to have served as an RNLI lifeboat station for more than a century. The charity was forced to abandon the site in 2014 when the derelict pier became too dangerous to walk across, but will re-establish its base once repairs have been completed. Image source, The Birnbeck Regeneration Trust Image caption, The pier has also fallen victim to vandals The council said an architect has already been appointed to develop designs for the repair works to the structure and associated building, and planning applications will be submitted in due course. It said preliminary works would start in the coming weeks, including a tidy up of the car park area, new fencing and putting up safety signage. The sale means a CPO inquiry for the pier planned for 8 to 10 August will no longer be necessary. Councillor Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, said: "It's taken years of planning, negotiation and sheer determination but we're thrilled to announce Birnbeck Pier's future is firmly in our hands and it's once again looking bright. "Thanks to our partners' unwavering support along with millions in funding, we will now be working as quickly as possible to get on site, prevent any further collapse and renovate the pier and its buildings for future generations to enjoy. "We look forward to returning Birnbeck Pier to the people, present and future, of Weston-super-Mare as soon as possible." North Som){kind=link}
A council has bought a historic pier after the owner dropped its objection to attempts to force it to sell.
Grade II-listed Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare has been at the centre of a legal dispute since 2020.
North Somerset Council was attempting to acquire the structure from CNM Estates through a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO).
CNM Estates has now withdrawn its objections to the CPO and the pier has been sold for £400,000.
It is the only pier in the UK to link to an island and to have served as an RNLI lifeboat station for more than a century.