(Image credit: Terry Bearpark, Holderness Gazette)
Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, was joined by South East Holderness Ward Councillors Lyn Healing and Claire Holmes, along with Withernsea Town Mayor Councillor Felicity Walmsley, to hear from the Chair and members of the Withernsea Pier and Promenade Association (WPPA) about their plans to restore Withernsea’s seafront to its former Victorian glory.
The group, which was formed back in 2016, has plans to construct a 560-foot pier, which would extend into the North Sea from the town’s iconic Pier Towers.
It is proposed that construction would take place in four stages in order to make the project more feasible and affordable, with the first stage comprising of a viewing platform hosting stalls and sea-facing benches for residents and tourists to enjoy.
Friday’s meeting followed the welcome news that East Riding of Yorkshire Council has indicated that it could issue landlord consent for the works to go ahead, on the condition that more information is provided by the group on how the pier’s supporting piles would penetrate the seabed among other engineering concerns.
This news came after a previous late request from the council for more detail, which pushed the group past the March deadline for a £240,000 fixed-price contract, forcing the cost up to £300,000. The group is now fundraising to make up the £60,000 shortfall.
(Image credit: Terry Bearpark, Holderness Gazette)
Graham said, “As I get back to meeting people in person for the first time in months, it was a real pleasure to meet with the WPPA to hear their plans to restore Withernsea’s seafront and see their passion to improve the town.
“It’s good news that the council has indicated it’s willing to give landlord consent for the plans, and I’d be happy to help facilitate communication between the council and association so we can keep up the momentum on this project.
“I was also pleased to give my two cents’ worth on how to improve their campaign, which 23 years in elected politics has helped teach me a thing or two about!”
Torkel Larsen, Chair of the WPPA, added: “I thought it was a positive meeting on Friday, and the number of local representatives who showed up really demonstrates the extent of the support that there is for the project.
“I hope we can now work closely and collaboratively with East Riding Council to make Withernsea’s seafront something to really shout about.”
