THE future of the pier at Colwyn Bay has been thrown into confusion.
The Grade II listed building has been held in trust by Chartered accountants Royce Peeling Green since the pier’s former owner, Steve Hunt, was declared bankrupt in July 2008.
But RPG has now disclaimed ownership of the structure, a move which Clwyd West MP David Jones believes could force Conwy County Borough Council to exercise statutory powers to take over the estimated £5.5m repair bill.
The shock move by the trustees has also put a stop to the county council’s decision to take over ownership of the pier.
Ken Finch, the councy council’s acting chief executive said it was assessing the implications of the latest events.
Penny Davies, chair of Pier Pressure, said the announcement by RPG had been “totally unexpected” and could threaten to set back development of the pier.
She said: “It’s really thrown a spanner in the works. We’re being kicked into touch at the last minute - the legality is that it’s got no legal owner. I am just crossing my fingers and hoping.”
Miss Davies said she hoped residents of the Bay would remain as willing to see an increase in their council tax to save the pier as they were at a January 2009 meeting at Colwyn Bay’s town hall, but admitted that the financial climate had since changed.
Neither Royce Peeling Green nor Mr Hunt were unavailable for comment.
Earlier this month Mr Hunt expressed fears over the safety of the structure when parts of the pier broke away forcing the council to fence off an area.