Sites of Interest
Extracts from a Conservation Statement drafted on behalf of the BRT by Acanthus Ferguson and Mann in Jan 2005
A site of National Significance: Birnbeck Pier uniquely incorporates an island
Birnbeck is the only pier in the country (and Europe) that connects to an island. It was successfully located here due to the presence of the island which is joined to the mainland by a natural causeway exposed at low tide.
The island is an outlier of the Worlebury headland, an east-west ridge of the Mendip Hills (of Carboniferous Limestone). From Birnbeck it is possible to view the National Trust landscapes on the two headlands of Brean Down to the south and Middlehope and Sand Point to the north.
Well into the nineteenth century, Weston was a fishing village. Fish were caught around Birnbeck and Anchor Head in nets placed between a series of stakes along the causeway. As the high tide receded two 'gull yellers' stayed on the island to protect the catch until it could be collected at low tide.
Birnbeck's unique island character is responsible for a number of other significant features which include: the opportunity for expansion and contraction of island structures, the adapt ability of construction materials, the subsequent island archaeology, and the greater resilance of the island and its superstructure to the storms, collisions and fire that have brought an end to many piers. The island site also provides greater opportunity for recovery when disasters do occur.
The headland location is also the reason for its relative isolation from the town's population.
Setting of International Significance
The Birnbeck Island and pier lie within the Severn Estuary which is of regional, national and international significance because of its complex ecology. This is due largely to the immense tidal range of 40-44 ft (12-13.4m) being the second highest in the world, and the estuarine silts sands and rocky platforms that provide an important wildlife habitat and food source.
Species particular to this island site include the reef forming Honeycombe worm that can be found on rocks beneath the pier promenade.
Severn Estuary designations include:
- Site of Special Scientific Interest (8881)
- Special Protection Area (SPA)( for birds)
- Ramsar Site (Wetland of International Importance)
- Possible Special Area of Conservation (p.SAC) under the EC Habitats Directive
- Spring Cove Cliffs (Northeast of Birnbeck Pier) designated SSSI for geological reasons
Pier design of National Significance: The continuous box girder construction by Eugenius Birch
The pier structure is one of only 4 leisure piers in the country listed II*. the only two Grade I piers are the neighbouring Clevedon Pier and Birch's Brighton West Pier, now collapsed.
Birch is highly regarded not only because he was the most prolific pier builder but also because he was innovative both in terms of design engineering and in the creation of a sophisticated and stylish superstructure. The Brighton West Pier completed a year before Birnbeck has been described as 'the finest and perhaps the most important piers ever built' (Adamson '77). He also designed Aquaria for Brighton and llfracombe and, it is reported, he suggested an aquarium for Birnbeck during the planning phase (origen unknown).
Birch was responsible for piers constructed between 1853 and 1883. Though not entirely unique the continuous box girder at Birnbeck is thought to be the best surviving example. It was built of prefabricated parts with cast iron legs and wrought iron girders by the lsca Iron Company of Newport, Wales.
This construction system was also used by Birch for West Brighton Pier. This had survived less well with many repairs and changes until Wednesday 23rd June 2004 when a large part collapsed into the sea during strong winds.
Although in poor condition now, Birnbeck Pier was one of 89 Pleasure piers built between years 1813 & 1905. Only 55 survive today. In many cases it is the repairs and stiffening in mild steel that have failed the corrosive effects of the sea. A major concern regarding Birnbeck pier almost from the day it opened was the sway caused by marching feet and strong sea currents. Significant damage has also been inflicted by the impact of sea borne structures and major storms.
Unique Island Archaeology and Architecture of Regional Importance
The early 19th century island and the fisherman's hut were levelled to that of the mainland approach to provide a landing for buildings and boats. The causeway fish traps survived into the 1960s or later. The present pier structure, jetties concrete terrace c1931 and pier head greatly increased the activity area of the original island.
Because the pier head is an island, the buildings and terraces could be built more substantially of stone and concrete. Their changes and growth present a complex amalgamation of construction phases more resistant to gales and fire than many pier buildings. Buildings include pavilion buildings, Clock Tower, lifeboat station, the Pier Master's and Toll House, curtilage listed.
The local architect Hans Price is credited with two phases of main east pavilion construction. Throughout its history the east pavilion has remained the principal building on the island and a west pavilion a more subsidiary building. There is photographic evidence of the west pavilion's existence prior to the 1897 reconstruction . Some demolished structures possibly leave earlier footprints below surface finishes including the southward extension of the west pavilion and the buildings on the 1931 concrete terrace.
Other 'lost' structures leave good mapping and photographic evidence , for example the 'Bazaar' on the north side of the island was present from the earliest years and survived in some form until the 1940s. It is typical of Birch's work on the Brighton West superstructure.
Beyond the central core of the island, the activity areas bridge the extensive inter-tidal zone. At low tide there is an array of in and ex situ concrete, steelwork and possibly timber still visible to inspection. It is likely to represent the earlier construction phases and some of the uses associated with the island.
Some of these have been mapped and photographed by the engineers but there has been no systematic record of the remains. They are likely to include the first concrete terrace but also possibly the first west jetty, the first north pier, the southwest pier /jetty, various fairground rides and perhaps even evidence of the activities of HMS Birnbeck. A newspaper article of Dredge's 1844 suspension bridge attempt written in 1883 also refers to evidence of the masonry piers remaining at that time.
The Archaeology of the Headland and Foreshore: of Outstanding Local Significance
There is a large Iron Age hillfort at the western end of Worlebury overlooking Birnbeck, and like Brean Down to the south, the whole headland has provided evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age and Roman occupation. Development of land around the approach to Birnbeck Pier has been limited to date but roads, paths and cliff edge construction are likely to have made significant inroads into the natural horizon but other areas may remain sealed or untouched by development.
The inter tidal zone from Birnbeck south towards the Upper High Street has also been identified as archaeologically important. (Includes land owned with the pier)
