<\/p>\n
Somerset Live<\/em> writes:<\/p>\n CNM Estates, headed by businessman Wahid Samady, was ordered by the High Court in December to find a buyer for the pier by January 22.<\/p>\n A new company – Birnbeck Holdings Limited – has now been set up by CNM Estates which has purchased Birnbeck Island and the historic pier.<\/p>\n Bosses at the company say they now intend to start work on repairing and redeveloping the site.<\/p>\n A spokesman for CNM Estates and Birnbeck Holdings said: “Pursuant to a High Court order, UK developer CNM Estates has purchased Birnbeck Island and Pier on 22 January under new entity, Birnbeck Holdings Limited.<\/p>\n \u201cThe company intends to start work on the vital repair and the redevelopment of site without the hindrance of historical litigation.\u201d<\/p>\n CNM Estates purchased the pier in 2012…<\/p>\n North Somerset Council has already started the process to compulsory purchase the pier, serving CNM Estates with a compulsory purchase order (CPO) in September last year.<\/p>\n The authority had previously made a financial offer to CNM Estates in a bid to avoid going through the lengthy and costly process of applying for a CPO on the pier.<\/p>\n However this was not accepted.<\/p>\n The plan is to secure the ownership of the pier then transfer the landmark to the RNLI.<\/p>\n The back to back deal would mean the pier\u00a0is transferred immediately to the RNLI, which wants to return its operations to the island and restore public access.<\/p>\n As part of the plan, the RNLI will restore the pier, which over the years has fallen into a dangerous condition, and build a new lifeboat station, training facility and other operational buildings required.<\/p>\n The lifeboat service \u2013 based on the landmark for 131 years – was forced to move off the island in 2013 after concerns for the crew’s health and safety because of the dilapidated state of the structure.<\/p>\n A spokesman for CNM Estates and Birnbeck Holdings Limited added: \u201cCNM Estates has always supported the RNLI presence on the island as it has been identified as the best location for life saving and remains open to a consensual arrangement with the group to enable this….<\/p>\n CNM Estates has appealed the CPO to both the Magistrates Court and to the Secretary of State….<\/p>\n North Somerset Council says it plans to continue with its compulsory purchase of Birnbeck Pier….<\/p>\n