10 March 2011 · Council of Ministers
Queens Pier Entrance, Stanley Mount East, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 1np
The proposal involved stabilisation works to Queen's Pier, a 679m long Victorian pier opened in 1886, including replacement of damaged bracing tie rods and struts with steel, removal of loose/rotten timber decking, counter joists and walling beams, dismantling of toll huts and seaward shelter, careful removal and off-s…
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The inspector noted the pier's poor condition since 1991 closure, representing a public safety danger from falling components due to wet rot in timber fascia and walling beams.
Environment Policy 30
General presumption against demolition of registered buildings; considers condition, repair costs vs importance, retention efforts, site alternatives. Assessed as satisfied as pier's poor condition justifies stabilisation/removals as precursor to restoration, not demolition; Tynwald rejected demolition; £1.8m investment shows retention commitment.
Environment Policy 32
No extensions/alterations detrimentally affecting registered building character. Works assessed as necessary repairs/stabilisation not affecting core character; steel replacements hidden; removals protect features for reinstatement.
Time limit
The development ('works' in the case of the Registered Building Application) shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Approved plans
This approval relates to the Stabilisation and Protection scheme to the Queen's Pier, Ramsey, as proposed in the documents submitted on 26 October 2010 (Planning, Statement, Record Photographs and Original Drawings) and the drawings listed in the Schedule date stamped 11 November 2010.
Method statement for removal/storage of balusters etc
The balusters, lamp standards, bench seats, hoist etc must be removed with care and stored on pallets in a suitable locked and weathertight storage facility which shall be managed and monitored in accordance with the environmental standards identified in the method statement referred to below. No development (works) shall take place until a method statement covering the removal, inventory, transportation and storage of these items has been submitted to and agreed in writing with the Planning Authority. The development (works) shall be carried out in accordance with the details in the agreed method statement.
Paradigm components
A set of well preserved cast iron components (paradigm components) are to be selected for particularly careful preservation and storage to act as templates for any replacement castings which may be required in the future. These components are to be accurately recorded and detailed scale drawings are to be prepared, copies of which shall be provided to the Planning Authority. The detailed arrangements for the paradigm components including their recording shall be covered by the method statement referred to in condition 3 above.
Analysis of toll huts and shelter
Prior to the dismantling of the toll huts and shelter an analysis of these buildings, including identification of features to be retained, shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the Planning Authority. The items to be retained shall be transported and stored in accordance with details which shall first have been submitted to an agreed in writing with the Planning Authority.
welcome scheme to stabilise and protect for future restoration; imperative to carefully recover/store toll huts and cast iron components; recommend paradigm components as templates; offer conservation advice
unequivocal approval; rely on Planning to monitor compliance for long-term survival
support stabilisation as mothballing pending restoration funding; pier structurally sound below deck, important landmark
no adverse traffic impacts
acceptable subject to conditions; stabilises structure, protects features, reduces safety risks; complies with policies
Manx National Heritage welcomes the stabilisation scheme with recommendations for careful storage of historic components; DEFA highlights marine biodiversity concerns; Ramsey Town Commissioners and individuals object to removal of features as 'demolition by stealth'; Friends of Queen's Pier support the application.
Key concern: removal of historic components seen as 'demolition by stealth' risking unviable restoration
Manx National Heritage
SupportMNH welcomes this scheme to stabilise the pier structure and protect the deck-level components, whilst preserving the potential for future repair and restoration; it is imperative that care is taken to recover and store for future re-use the greatest possible amount of original materials; MNH conservation staff are available to advise on suitable environmental conditions
Conditions requested: care is taken to recover and store for future re-use the greatest possible amount of original materials; original materials to be suitably recorded, inventoried, and preserved for re-use; storage facility - 'good quality shipping containers' - managed and monitored to appropriate standards, particularly of low relative humidity; a set of paradigm well-preserved cast iron components are selected for particularly careful preparation and storage so as to act as patterns or templates for any replacement castings
DEFA Marine Biodiversity
Conditional No ObjectionDEFA Marine Biodiversity Officers would be very happy to work with DOI and their contractors to ensure that the works are undertaken in a way which will minimise impacts on the marine environment; I have requested bird data, to determine whether any use the pier in a manner that might be affected by the proposed works
Conditions requested: every measure should be taken to avoid impacts such as siltation and burying of this important habitat
Ramsey Town Commissioners
Objectionthe Commissioners... have resolved to Object to the proposal
Patricia S. Newton
Objectionthis would be contrary to the aims of Policies RB/5 and RB/6 in the Department's Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment (Planning Policy Statement 1/01)
Ian K Bleasdale
ObjectionI would strongly OBJECT to this application
Conditions requested: materials are put under lock & key in some dedicated building with someone or body, made explicitly responsible for its care
Friends of Queen's Pier
Supportwe give our unequivocal approval to the plans and write to indicate our support for the above Registered Building Application
Conditions requested: monitor these works to ensure strict compliance at all times in order that the long term survival of Queen's Pier is in no way jeopardised
The original applications (10/01578/GB and 10/01579/CON) by the Department of Infrastructure - Harbours Division sought approval for stabilising the deteriorating Victorian pier, including replacing damaged structural elements, removing loose decking and historic features like balustrades for safe storage, and securing the entrance building. There was no refusal; the applications were called-in by the Council of Ministers due to government ownership and considered via written representations by an independent inspector. The inspector assessed the pier's poor condition posing public safety risks, the necessity of works to prevent further deterioration, and compliance with heritage policies, recommending approval subject to conditions ensuring careful removal, recording, and storage of features. The Council of Ministers accepted the recommendation on 10 March 2011, issuing permissions on 17 March 2011 with detailed conditions.
Precedent Value
This appeal sets precedent that minimal stabilisation interventions on heritage structures can be approved where justified by safety/condition evidence and protective conditions, even if temporarily altering character, provided long-term commitment is demonstrated. Future applicants should prioritise structural surveys, method statements for feature handling, and policy-compliant conditions.
Inspector: Neil A C Holt TD BArch(Hons) DipTP DipCons RIBA MRTPI
