Ilfracombe Pier redevelopment

Wednesday, 5 February 2020 06:34

By Daniel Clark, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Plans recommended for approval.

North Devon Council is hoping to remove two 1950s ticket kiosks from the entrance of Ilfracombe Pier, which it owns and manages. The kiosks, which the council say are in a ‘poor condition’, would be replaced by a new archway on one side, and would incorporate the existing historic clock from the quay.
The road would be widened on the other side while the plans also include a new pedestrian crossing at the entrance.
The Festival of Britain style Fins from the toll booths, which are included in The Local Interest List for Ilfracombe, would be relocated to the nearby Victoria Pleasure Grounds at the foot of Capstone Hill and used as a design feature for two new multi-purpose kiosks.
A new seating area for the kiosks, plus a seating area for the nearby bus stop opposite the town’s Wetherspoons, is also part of the plans.
The redevelopment scheme, covered by two separate planning applications, is recommended for approval by the council’s planning committee when they meet a week today (Wednesday 12th February)
Recommending approval, the report says: “The regeneration of the harbour entrance has been a priority for the Council in order to encourage safe functioning of the harbour for pedestrians, vehicles and boats, with the entrance to the quay being a specific pinch point where conflict between the uses has historically occurred.
“Both the Heritage and Conservation Officer and Historic England offer support for the scheme, whilst acknowledging that there is harm in removal and relocation of the kiosks however this should be weighted in the balance against the clearly demonstrated public benefits of the scheme.
“The relocation of the kiosks, with education boards explaining their former function would ensure that the significance of the asset is retained in the seaside part of the town, whilst the new archway structure and enabling the widening works to the harbour would provide an attractive alternative somewhat enhancing the harbour entrance which is currently dilapidated, and providing a safe and functional space ensuring the long term economic and social sustainability of the harbour as a public space.
“The proposed archway structure uses an attractive form, akin to the cross section of a boat hull, re-uses the clock which formerly stood between the fins on the kiosks, and uses copper cladding which will attractively weather into the seaside setting. This is considered to represent good design, which reinforces local distinctiveness and character and would provide and attractive gateway feature to the quay entrance.
“The less than substantial harm is considered to be outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme and approval of the application is therefore recommended.”
The council’s head of resources, Jon Triggs, when the application was lodged, had said it was exciting for Ilfracombe and that they hoped to complete all the works at the quay before the 2020 holiday season.

Ilfracombe Pier redevelopment

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