A £1million project to stabilise a historic pier and slow its deterioration is set to be carried out – if a planning application is given the green light.

Fife Council has applied for consent to undertake external works to the category A-listed Town Pier at Pierhead in North Queensferry.

This follows the identification of a series of defects to the structure including displaced masonry, open joints, localised voids, loss of core material and undermining of the lower masonry.

The pier is currently not operational and there are no current plans to bring it back to use.

Fife Council is seeking consent for repairs on the Town Pier in North Queensferry | Pic Contributed

placeholder image — Fife Council is seeking consent for repairs on the Town Pier in North Queensferry | Pic Contributed

A planning statement said: “The approach is intended to stabilise the structure, slow down ongoing deterioration and retain as much original fabric as reasonably practicable, while Fife Council seeks to secure further funding for a more substantial repair or reconstruction strategy in the future.

“The objective of this project is therefore not to alter the historic character of the pier, but to preserve the existing structure through proportionate, conservation-led and reversible intervention.”

Planned work includes repointing masonry, replacing missing or badly damaged stone, filling voids and stabilising damaged sections.

Protection is also proposed around the southern end of the pier where seabed erosion has exposed and affected the lower masonry.

Councillors will consider the application in due course.