Written question asked by Simon Kirby (Conservative) on Tuesday, 25 January 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 January 2011. It was answered by John Penrose (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 February 2011 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Piers: Public Finance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will assess the merits of making public funds available to rebuild or maintain seaside piers that have fallen into disrepair.

Answer: In the current fiscal climate, we have not considered making additional public funds available, but some listed piers may be eligible to apply to English Heritage for funding, who also contribute advice as part of their planning responsibilities, and from the Heritage Lottery Fund, where a strong case can be made for public benefit. In addition, some pier restoration projects in private ownership have been successful without public funding, for example Weston Grand Pier. The new 'community right to buy' provisions in the Localism Bill will give local groups a legal right to bid for and take over the running of threatened community assets which includes piers.

Secondary information