A volunteers’ trust has been given planning consent to begin the first stage of Ramsey Pier’s restoration.

Planners have approved an application by the Queen’s Pier Restoration Trust (17/00335) to repair and refurbish the first three bays of the pier at the landward end and to install toilet facilities in the entrance building.

The Trust has also secured registered building consent (17/00336/CON).

But it still requires a lease from government before it can start work. The Attorney General’s chambers are currently in the process of finalising details of that lease.

A survey of the pier’s 60 bays was carried out between September and November last year.

Total cost of the work is estimated at £1.5m for materials alone. But repair of the first three bays is estimated at £78,000.

Works to stabilise the pier, for which planning consent has been secured, include replacing defective metalwork and defective timber under the decking.

New hardwood decking will be installed, which will be slighter wider than the original - by 1.52m on either side on the first bay. There will also be internal works to the entrance building to create a work area and toilet facilities.

And a service duct will be installed under the decking of the first three bays to provide light and power.

One supporter of the pier being restored to its former glory wrote to planners expressing concern about the first bay being widened and about the use of welded replacement lattice girders.

But a planning officer’s report concluded that the works would be acceptable as they would not detrimentally affect the character of the pier as a building of special architectural and historical interest.

’Works of the nature proposed are vital for any chance of the pier coming back into public use and are to be welcomed,’ concludes the report.

It points out the Victorian pier has undergone a series of alterations throughout its history and the wider walkway decking will match the original. All new metal work will be painted black, again to match the existing iron girders.

There was no objection from Ramsey Commissioners. Another supporter of the pier’s restoration suggested the entrance building should be painted in a more ’recessive’ colour - or better still knock it down and replace the original twin kiosks.

Planning consent was granted on the condition that work begins within four years.