Green light for new security gates at listed pier
LDRSPlans for new security gates to improve public safety and prevent vandalism at a Grade II-listed pier have been given the green light.
South Tyneside Council's planning department has approved the construction of a second set of gates on the South Pier in South Shields.
Port of Tyne will install a new gated access system halfway along the pier to prevent public access to the head of the pier in adverse weather conditions.
It was noted climate change meant the frequency of large waves overtopping the piers was becoming more common.
The planning documents noted the lighthouse and pier had been regularly vandalised "through illegal access", with examples of fires being started and the lighthouse windows being damaged.
Port of Tyne said the existing gates to the west near the base of the pier would be retained and it was intended for the new gates to be closed when the weather was poor, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
LDRSDuring a council public consultation on the proposal, four representations were submitted objecting to the "loss of public access".
Council planners said Port of Tyne said the gates would only be closed "during extreme weather events, whereby there is a risk to the public from waves which can exceed the height of the pier".
It was also noted the second gates would allow the existing gates at the base of the pier to remain open more of the time and overall access would not be impacted.
Comments from the council's historic environment officer said the proposal would "lead to some harm to the heritage asset in terms of one additional fitting, albeit this would be on the lower end of less than substantial harm".
Under planning conditions, the development must be brought forward within three years.
