Future vision as Mumbles Pier plans go to Swansea Council
DETAILED plans for transforming Mumbles Pier have been submitted to Swansea Council.
If approved, the proposals would see the virtual rebuilding of the 112-year-old pier and new modern lifeboat house.
The plans, which will cost the development partners in the region of £11 million, are the culmination of a two- year joint project between Ameco, the pier's owners, and the RNLI.
The lifeboat charity hopes to relocate to a new hi-tech facility capable of launching their new Tamar class vessel, if planning consent is granted.
Pier owner John Bollom said it had been "essential to work closely with the RNLI to make sure that the future of the pier was safeguarded".
Plans to transform the land around the pier have already been submitted to Swansea Council. However, there have been supporters and opposition, who called for the plans to be scaled down.
Mr Bollom added: "I am afraid that people have got the wrong idea by suggesting that a smaller two-storey scheme would generate sufficient cash.
"Even at the height of the property boom, we only just about managed to make the margins work with six storeys. It is a recent drop in steel prices that has made costs manageable again.
"All this was made clear when the council published its development brief in May last year," he added.
"Obviously the pier and the foreshore projects go together. Without a viable foreshore development, we couldn't afford to finance our share of the pier restoration work."
Proposed restoration works include rebuilding the pier stem from its existing stanchions by installing new steelwork and decking. Although construction methods are not finalised, a favoured approach is to demolish the end of the Victorian structure and create an enlarged pier head capable of supporting the new lifeboat house.
First built in 1898 as a jetty for visiting steamers, the top section of the pier was rebuilt in 1956 but is now nearing the end of its maintainable life. Plans have been submitted to replace the rusting steelwork with modern anti-corrosive materials.
A spokesman for Ameco said designers had ensured the functional elements were in keeping with the Victorian period with the intention of preserving as many original features of the grade II listed structure as possible.
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by william, mumbles area
Tuesday, November 09 2010, 2:40PM
“Also if you (heather) had lived in the area long enough you would know that the pier hotel and the old lifeboat cottage are the only original addresses in mumbles as everywhere else has its own little area i.e southend,oystermouth,norton etc”
by william, mumbles
Tuesday, November 09 2010, 2:36PM
“heather,mumbles,for someone so adamnt that the pier should be repaired and that the owners have let it get like it is i wonder how you suggest they finance this restoration as i dont think a book shop or two will do it somehow!!!! I also dont see what all the fuss is about as the development will not affect anyone unless you walk down there as it wont be visible from virtually anywhere else in mumbles”
by spidey jones, Planet earth
Tuesday, November 09 2010, 12:02PM
“Hay on wye is a scenic, clean ,busy village populated by many well read people.
Mumbles is rundown,tatty suburb of swansea which is populated by many Illiterate people.
Sorry but the way forward is pubs and clubs to save this sorry part of swansea”
by garf, in"th"bath nr swindon
Monday, November 08 2010, 8:43PM
“heather
if you cant beat them,then join them!
your as sick and sad as your new mate snob. ha ha!!!”
by Heather, Mumbles
Monday, November 08 2010, 5:26PM
“heheheh A Snob, The Grounds of My Estate, you are comical and I rather like you hehe
Come on, can't you see it? Mumbles as another Hay on Wye yesssss”
by A Snob, The Grounds of My Estate
Monday, November 08 2010, 4:38PM
“Are we still talking about investment in the Mumbles and the pottential influx of poor people to the SA3 area?
Please can we put this to bed once and for all and introduce a local version of identity cards.
To go further West than West Cross you would have to produce your card at a checkpoint and this card would hold vital DNA information about your families wealthy heritage and education.
Vice Versa if I travel into the slums of the city I should be able to throw some of my loose change into "Drums for the Poor" a la the Severn Bridge toll system.
I am with Heather - we dont want to mingle with these sorts but we dont mind giving hand outs now and again.
I wouldnt be averse to even manning a soup kitchen in High Street once a year provided I get the relevant safety clothing and I can bring along my Game Warden to watch my back with his double barrel.
Power to the People of SA3 - we must stand and fight or become poor....”
by spidey jones, Planet Earth
Monday, November 08 2010, 4:29PM
“Just because I point out a lot of people in the mumbles are unkempt and illiterate that does not show I lack class.
A book shop is a good idea but it better stock up on the cjack and jill ladybird collection.
As that is the type of book the locals will be most comfortabl reading”
by Heather, Mumbles
Monday, November 08 2010, 2:38PM
“One problem spidey Jones, Planet earth: you lack something. Class !”
by Shirley, Swansea
Monday, November 08 2010, 2:36PM
“Anon Neath, Neath I don't know about others comments, however, I don't know why the EP printed your comment: you can't spell.”
by Anon Neath, Neath
Monday, November 08 2010, 1:33PM
“What a load of sick people there are some of the comments I can't even beleave the post have even printed.
For god's sake the Mumbles Pier has been there for many many years and yes it has aged like most of us and it needs a refurbish.
some of the comments have nothing to do with the story printed above”