Limited repair work on Helensburgh’s pier is set to take another step forward after plans to install steel beams in the structure were approved.
Argyll and Bute Council has approved its own planning application to put the items in place to support new GRP (glass reinforced plastic) panels at the pier.
The pier has been closed to all marine traffic since October 2018 due to its deteriorating condition, and is not part of the town’s £22m waterfront redevelopment project, meaning there is little prospect of the Waverley visiting the town.
A report by a council planning official detailed the pier’s history and recommended that the plans were given the green light.
The planning official said: “Helensburgh pier mainly dates from 1859 when it was designed by William Spence, but it has earlier fabric dating from 1816 when a smaller pier was first constructed at this site.
“The timber extension was added to the south end in 1871. The rectangular end section of the pier is made of a timber platform with slightly curved corners built on large and closely spaced timber piles. The majority of the timber section is overlaid with non-slip surfacing.
“Presently waves are hitting the masonry pier and rising upwards at the timber pier entrance and damaging the deck.
“The purpose of these alterations are to allow wave pressure through more open gaps and reduce the chance of further damage. Alterations are on a small section of the pier where the stone sections ends and timber begins.
“The new surface extends the full width of the pier and is 2m in length, this section currently has damaged surfacing.”
The pier was given C listed status by Historic Environment Scotland in June 2019.
In that same month, Argyll and Bute councillors agreed that the local authority should not pursue ‘high cost’ options for the repair of the pier, though officials did decide that same month to allocate £85,000 towards pedestrian access improvements.
The report added: “It is considered the proposed alterations are very minor and will preserve the building, its setting and the historic interest that it possesses as the GRP mesh boards will replace those already there, but will be less dense to allow more water to pass through them.
“Their visual appearance will not look out of place in this context as they are considered to be a typical waterfront walking surface and acceptable in terms of setting, scale, design and material.
“These aims are also echoed in Scottish Historic Environment Policy 2011 and the accompanying managing change guidance notes.”
The official also said that the plans were felt to comply with policies of the council’s local development plan.
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