A TIDE of change could sweep over Blackpool's North Pier if former owners First Leisure get the green light to demolish the seafront spot's ravaged jetty.

Monday evening's meeting (July 19) of Blackpool Council's regeneration and development committee to discuss the future of the damaged listed building led to an application to the Secretary of State for demolition and to use insurance funds to breathe new life into the main body of the pier.

But Blackpool Civic Trust feels this move would degenerate Blackpool's unique heritage as chairman Barry Shaw told the Citizen: "We are of course disappointed with the result as there are very few jetties left these days and we don't want to lose another one.

"We still stand by our views and intend to hold a meeting of the Civic Trust on August 2 to review the situation."

Suffering severe storm damage throughout the years and projecting almost 150m from the main pier, most of the original jetty construction has been lost to sea and though now retained by Blackpool Tower owners Leisure Parcs, is still the responsibility of First Leisure who were the owners at the time of the destruction wreaked by the harsh storms of 1997.

Chairman of the regeneration and development committee George Bancroft commented: "The decision is ultimately taken by the Secretary of State, but the historical aspects of the jetty have long since gone and we don't want a great hunk of metal floating out there much longer.

"First Leisure intends to improve the superstructure and retain facilities for fishermen and there can only be benefits to the public with the intended improvements which will hopefully begin in September if given the go ahead." First Leisure were unavailable for comment.

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