Historic England makes statement after West Hoe Pier collapse

‘Swift repairs are needed’

Heritage bosses have said that Plymouth City Council didn’t need listed building consent before carrying out works on West Hoe Pier before it was severely damaged in a storm.

Last week, news website Plymouth Plus said the authority had carried out work on the Grade II listed structure without consent prior to a large section of it collapsing earlier this month.

But today Historic England, the public body which looks after the nation’s heritage, said it would have been up to the council to decide if consent was needed – and it is not generally required.

A Historic England spokesperson told PlymouthLive: “We are sorry to hear of the severe damage to Grade II listed West Hoe Pier during Storm Bram.

“Listed Building Consent is not generally required for like-for-like repairs to listed structures. It is the responsibility of the local planning authority, in this case Plymouth City Council, to determine whether consent is required.

“Swift repairs are needed but Historic England recognises the challenging conditions in which they need to be made.”

The pier was damaged during Storm Bran on December 9. The damage was worsened by the sea during the next couple of days.

Engineers have been assessing the damage and Cllr Chris Penberthy (St Peter and the Waterfront) told PlymouthLive it was not known how long it would take to repair the eastern arm of the pier, or how much it would cost – but he vowed that it would be fixed.

He stressed: “We want a solution that brings the pier back into use.”

Storm Bram brought strong winds and heavy rain to Plymouth, flooding areas of the city and the waterfront took a particularly heavy battering – which the outer wall of the West Hoe Pier just couldn’t take.

The structure had actually been undergoing work to strengthen it, which included filling in the interior with concrete and stone.

The council had met with contractors and surveyors earlier this year to look at proposals to strengthen the pier.

It was agreed to carry out the first phase of work without listed building consent, and when it was known the extent of work needed a listed building application would be submitted.

The council said it had been found that the pier head was supported on piles with a cast concrete and grout head.

It believed that more piles would be needed but was waiting for confirmation before applying for listed building consent.

The enclosed West Hoe harbour, off Grand Parade, dates from 1880. Its walls are made from very strong limestone blocks.

In 2012, Plymouth construction firm Ryearch was brought in to carry out remedial works at West Hoe Pier, including repairing damaged steps and landings, by using materials salvaged from the seabed. The repair contract cost the council £97,000.