Pier trust hatches plan to rescue derelict attraction
The community trust which wants to take over Hastings Pier believes it has uncovered a way of returning the dilapidated attraction to its former splendour.
With current owners Ravenclaw Investments allowing the pier to lay empty and derelict for nearly three years, Hastings Borough Council has come under increasing pressure to act.
One suggestion has been that the local authority invoke a compulsory purchase order (CPO) which would see the council force Ravenclaw to sell it the pier for a nominal fee.
The pier could then be sold to the trust.
However, one stumbling block has always been the trust's lack of concrete funds. Because it has no claim to the freehold it is unable to apply for the substantial grants it would need to complete the deal.
And, in a catch 22 situation, the council has always been reluctant to carry out the CPO unless the trust can prove it has the cash in place.
Bosses at the council are mindful of ended up lumbered with the pier, which by last estimates would cost nearly 20million to make safe and maintain.
This week though, members of the volunteer run trust said believe they have found a solution.
The group's spokesman Lesley Davis explained: "We recently met with a CPO expert who explained that it would be possible for the council to start CPO proceedings which would in turn allow us to begin applying for funding.
"This would not commit the council to anything and, should it not be convinced by our plans, it would not have to finalise the deal.
"We just need to convince the council that leaving it closed is no longer an option."
And this, say the trust, is where local residents come in. Timed to coincide with 137th anniversary of the pier's opening, the trust launched a new campaign on Wednesday with the aim of harnessing public opinion.
The volunteers are planning a host of local events to capture the imagination of the public and force the powers that be to sit up and take note. A group on social networking website Facebook has already attracted thousands of members and the trust is set to open its new HQ in the old Arthur Green's shop on the seafront.
From there people will be able to find out more information about the pier and collect posters, badges and t-shirts to show their support for the plan.
A council spokesman was unaware of the CPO loophole and said that the authority's position was unchanged. Caroline Kelly said: "We will, of course, consider all options with the pier and have always said that we would love to see it open. We would consider a CPO as part of a back to back deal with proper funding and a working business plan in place."
Trust spokesman Lesley Davis responded: "We do understand the council's concerns but in the last three years of working on saving the pier, we have had little engagement from the council. We really would like some honest debates about their worries and how we can work together to overcome those hurdles...rather than feeling like they are not really interested at all."
The pier was closed three summers ago by health and safety officials amid concerns it could collapse into the sea.
Do you think the council should be doing more? Leave your comments below.
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Weather for Hastings
Monday 28 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
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