HULL – Hull City Council’s opposition Labour Group is calling on the city’s Liberal Democrats to guarantee the future of Victoria Pier, amid speculation that the heritage asset may be demolished with funding for a replacement confirmed.
A Labour proposal being tabled at this week’s full Council meeting would commit the Council to only agree to demolish the existing pier structure once a fully funded design plan is in place.
Currently, Hull City Council is planning to demolish the existing pier, and has already engaged a contractor for this work, before it has decided on a plan for its replacement.
No meaningful consultation has been undertaken so far, and the public are only being offered a choice of three pre-approved designs, which lack ambition and vision.
One member of the public on social media commented that the designs on offer “all look bleak…”, while another said that “designs by year 6 would be more inspiring.”
Councillor Haroldo Herrera-Richmond, Labour councillor for the St. Andrew’s & Docklands ward in which the pier is located, and chair of the Council’s West Central Area Committee, said:
“As a local ward councillor and chair of the local Area Committee, I received no communication whatsoever from the Council about their plans for Victoria Pier, in advance of the announcement to the media.
“It is clear that the Council’s Liberal Democrat administration is hoping to shove its own sub-standard plans through, without any meaningful consultation with residents on the future of this crucial heritage asset.”
Councillor Leanne Fudge, who also represents St. Andrew’s & Docklands, said:
“Victoria Pier is such an important part of Hull’s built heritage. For the Council to rush ahead with its demolition, before it has bothered to decide on a replacement, risks cultural vandalism.”
Councillors will debate the Labour motion, proposed by Cllr Herrera-Richmond, at the full meeting of Hull City Council this Thursday, the 19th March.