Consultation has been taking place at Shotley amongst investors, local people and stakeholders in respect of revised plans for the pier buildings. Following the refusal of the original planning application, the Board has been considering how to proceed. Consultation has now begun regarding the style of roof, with four options for investors to vote on. Comments from non-investors are welcome too, the Board will review all input in January for discussion with planners. Two similarly sized buildings at the shore end of the pier would be built on a platform on either side of the pier, one to house the visitor centre and the other a workshop. The original planned buildings and footprint of the new design are shown on this website, with four options regarding the roof design being available to investors to vote on. Chairman John Davitt said: “ since September, we have been looking at how we can compromise, and asking our investors and neighbours for their input. We look forward to seeing which roof design appeals most to our investors” The Board of Directors agreed three important principles at the outset: Keep the Pier Clear for walking on. Group activities such as drawing and painting, photography or other leisure activity such as angling, need to take place on a platform because the pier is not wide enough for groups of people to take up room with stationary activities. We will not build on the pier, only alongside it. Step-free access to welcome people with mobility problems and parents with pushchairs. Selecting a design with a very gentle slope ensures access for all. Free entry to the pier so that anyone can stroll along it without paying an entry fee. The main areas of compromise have been to reduce the height and width of the buildings, reduce the length of the Visitor Centre by reducing the number of tables and chairs and removing office space. Comments on the four roof style options are welcomed, as well as the possible layout on the new draft plan. Email shotleypier@gmail.com if you wish to share your opinion
Read MoreMore drawings to see: Option 4
As the buildings will be a pair of buildings either side of the pier, this is what they would look like as a pair
Read MoreMore drawings to see: Option 3
As the buildings will be a pair of buildings either side of the pier, this is what they would look like as a pair
Read MoreMore Drawings to see: Option 2
As the buildings will be a pair of buildings either side of the pier, this is what they would look like as a pair
Read MoreMore drawings to see: Option 1
As the buildings will be a pair of buildings either side of the pier, this is what they would look like as a pair
Read MoreFour styles of Roof to consider
Comments to shotleypier@gmail.com are welcomed
Read MoreSetback for Pier as Planning Permission Refused
Our application was actually recommended for approval and had widespread support to help us move the project forward. The discussion was illogical at times, and the Babergh Solicitor kept telling objecting councillors the reasons they were giving were not valid in planning law. After the vote of 7 against 6, the 7 councillors struggled for 11 minutes to give reasons that could be put in the council minutes. We have been advised we have good grounds for appeal. Following the many emails and comments from investors, the Board is weighing up next steps, looking at whether to appeal and whether to revise the plans. Most of the 38 objections came from the Sailing Club next door, and the small vocal group who have objected to every stage of our project. We have been approached by the Marina to have talks with them and other local businesses, and as ever, we are always ready to listen to opinions. Investors are very welcome to give opinions to the volunteers, either by chatting or by emailing shotleypier@gmail.com We have been shortlisted for 3 major grants, all of them require planning permission to be in place before they make an award, so we need to progress to planning permission as soon as possible. Mis-information was spread that we intended to open an 84 seater restaurant, and this clearly influenced councillors who believed we were trying to steal trade from the nearby pub and marina. It was hard to stomach the comment from Councillor Busby that our volunteers would ruin other local traders when we all feel that extra visitors will benefit all traders there, and we have no intention of serving restaurant meals, only light refreshments. Tables and chairs are not only for eating at ! Some people have said why not just repair the pier without a building on it? The proposed buildings are not going to be on the pier, they would be on decking alongside the pier, we hoped for a workshop for volunteer maintenance of the pier, plus a visitor centre as is normal on a pier, to enable us to hold pier-related activities. The kind of activity our Visitor Centre expects to have: Leaning on the railings to bird watch Junior craft activities in the school holidays to enjoy the pier Creative leisure such as art and photography Enjoying looking at the views while strolling or sitting inside…
Read MoreMemoir of the Pier
We are seeking to interview people who have memories of the Pier. The Board has always wanted to celebrate the personal stories of people who care about the pier. We’ve teamed up with author Robert Ashton, for whom this will be his 20th published book. As a child Robert lived at Brantham and so used to visit the pier himself more than 50 years ago. His book will be an exploration into the pier’s past, its present, and the hopes people have for its future. He’s describing the book, which will be titled ‘River of Hope’ as a collective biography, sharing the stories of those he meets or speaks to, both by design and also by chance. Robert takes his inspiration from George Ewart Evans, who wrote about rural Suffolk before the Great War. He too wrote the stories of people he met, capturing them before they were lost. Robert is currently researching the book and conducting interviews, some face to face and some over the phone. If you would like to share your story about the pier, please contact Robert by email, robert@robertashton.co.uk or get in touch with us and we’ll make an introduction. He hopes to have the interviews completed by mid-September, so that the book can be published in time for Christmas. The book will be a fundraiser for the pier, as well hope, as spreading word about why this project is so important. Contact robert@robertashton.co.uk
Read MoreShare Certificates go to Holland
As share certificates start to be issued to our 520 investors, one special group in Holland were having a very special family reunion, and our volunteer Casper took the opportunity to present certificates to all those he had persuaded to take part Clan Holland as we call them, are all related to Casper de Boer who has lived in Shotley for many years, becoming a well known dutch settler. He has enthusiastically introduced the idea of sharing ownership of the pier with his clan, and we are looking forward to putting a cluster of celebratory plaques up for them. Here is the family video of Casper presenting the share certificates to his relatives in Holland, thank you all for your kind support of our community project.
Read MoreAugust Coffee Morning
Coffee Morning at the Red Lion, Main Road Chelmondiston, IP9 1DX Our regular coffee mornings at the Red Lion are always popular, and August’s event will have the added attraction of fine weather – so the courtyard is available too – with sunny and shady spots its perfect for mingling and chatting. £5 gives you tea or coffee, and a slice of cake to enjoy in the lovely environment of this Michelin-listed restaurant. There is no need to spend more, but our coveted Shotley Seals in ceramic form are available to buy for £10 as is the Art on offer. The artist of the month is invited to show their work, which is displayed on the wall for 1 month. Each artist brings a different style, always interesting and enjoyable to meet the artist. The cakes are home made by volunteers and are considered a real treat – from fresh fruit cream cakes, to gin and tonic cake, there is something to appeal to all, including a savoury sausage roll if you don’t like cake ! We thank Mandy and Dougie of the Red Lion for their very generous donation of time and refreshments each month as this allows us to donate 100% of the £5 ticket price to the Pier fund.
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