19/03/2008 03:00:00
Restoration plans for Mumbles pier in Swansea, South Wales, have been revealed. The £39m regeneration plans were proposed by the family firm Ameco and Swansea Council's leader told BBC news that he was "delighted" by the proposals.
Mumbles Pier, originally built in 1898, has been owned by Ameco for 70 years and was rebuilt by Stan Bollom in 1956. His son John Bollom, now managing director of the company, announced that annual maintenance was no longer sufficient to meet health and safety requirements. He added that £4m worth of rebuilding work was essential to safeguard the future of the pier.
At the moment the Swansea pier does not generate much money and is not eligible for public grants, so Mr Bollom plans to generate the required finances by demolishing the Pier Hotel and redeveloping the site.
Plans for the area include a conference and exhibition centre, attractions and a family entertainment centre, a hotel and spa, improved public spaces and a new boardwalk linking Knab Rock to the pier.
Mr Bollom said that their plans for the pier concurred with the council's plans for Swansea Bay, outlined in the Swansea Bay Strategy, and he hoped that planning permission would be granted in the next month.
According to the BBC, Cllr Chris Holley, Swansea Council leader, said: "The Swansea bay Strategy aims to produce nodes around the bay that provide jobs and visitor attractions and the Mumbles Pier proposals appear to be entirely in line with that.
"We must, therefore, act promptly to ensure this development comes to fruition, once the council has had the opportunity to evaluate the proposals, we will swiftly progress to development stage with Ameco."