Clevedon Pier £1m visitor centre plan approved

A combination of grants and fundraising will pay for the development

A futuristic £1m visitor centre is to be built alongside Clevedon's Grade I-listed Victorian pier.

Planning permission for the glass structure, to be situated on the ramp leading to the pier, was granted by North Somerset Council on Thursday.

An appeal to help pay for the development has been launched and it is hoped work will begin in spring 2012.

A glass-fronted educational centre looking out towards the Bristol Channel will be built under the ramp.

The plans also incorporate a refreshment area and toilet facilities.

Some of the new facilities will be housed beneath the rock face

Chairman of the pier trust Simon Talbot-Ponsonby told BBC Radio Bristol the trust would also be applying for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

"We are all very excited," said Mr Talbot-Ponsonby.

"This is a major project for the trust for which we will be applying for grants.

"In addition we will be launching an appeal to the public who love, support and greatly appreciate the UK's only Grade I-listed pier.

"We've got a long way to go and we need everybody's help."