Welsh Ministers have refused an application by Conwy County Borough Council to demolish Colwyn Bay Pier.
The decision comes just days after Clwyd West AM Darren Millar presented the Welsh Government with a petition signed by more than 1,000 people calling upon Ministers to refuse permission to demolish the seaside landmark. The petition was gathered by the Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust which has been working to save the historic structure.
The Trust has also made a bid for a grant to the Heritage Lottery Fund to secure funding to see the pier restored and given a sustainable future - a decision on their application is expected later this year.
Darren said:
“I’m astonished that this decision was taken so quickly after handing the petition to the Welsh Government.
“Members of the Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust have been working tirelessly to safeguard the future of the pier and I know they will be delighted by the news.
“Obviously the future of the pier is still dependent on securing the funding needed to redevelop it, but this news puts campaigners one step closer to fulfilling their hopes of giving it a long term future and redeveloping it for community use. I will continue to work closely with the Trust as they move towards this aim.”
Photos show Darren Millar AM being presented with the petition by members of the Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust and Darren Millar AM at the Victoria Pier, Colwyn Bay.