The go-ahead has finally been given for Colwyn Bay’s Victoria Pier to be dismantled.

Conwy County Borough Council has received a decision notice from Welsh Government for Listed Building Consent giving it the go-ahead to dismantle the landmark and redevelop a truncated pier.

The notice also calls on the authority to store parts of the structure, deemed to have heritage value, for potential re-use in any future restoration by a third party.

Council chairman, Cllr Brian Cossey, said: “We’d like to thank the Minister for giving the application the careful consideration needed to reach this decision.

“Over recent years the council has been quite clear about the deteriorating state of the pier and the significant risk it posed to public health and safety.

“Today’s decision means that we can now take action, but any work to dismantle the structure will need to be carried out in a safe, carefully planned and controlled manner.”

“In preparation, the council has gone out to tender for a contractor to dismantle the pier. The submitted tenders will be subject to the usual procurement process.”

A report will be presented to Conwy County Borough Council in mid-November, and the contract for dismantling could then be awarded.

Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust who want to see the pier redeveloped are due to meet to discuss the decision.

Trust chairman Mark Roberts said dismantling the pier was different to demolishing it with the current plan to see every element of the listed building taken down, examined, surveyed and eventually remodelled and replaced similar to the way it was before.

He said the Trust have further plans for the Pier once the truncated version is created with an extension part of their visions they will present to the council in the coming months.

“To some degree what the council will be doing when they restructure the truncated pier is similar to what our phase one would have been,” said Mr Roberts.

Readers took to Facebook to express their views.

Lynn Shutt said: “It is rotting away and ruining the image of the locality.

“We shall have a beach to be proud of once this scruffy old iron relic has been cleared away. Nice long strolls with no ugly pier to spoil our views.”

While Phil Huw said: “I would dearly like to see a 'revised' pier, but feel very anxious about the consequences if there is a delay. Let's hope this means Conwy CBC will get on with it and stop dithering.”