The director of Clarence Pier has told Portsmouth City Council planners he is “totally bemused” by the authority’s apparent disregard for the pier in planning the Southsea Coastal Defence scheme.

Addressing councillors during a public planning meeting, Jimmy Norman shared his fears that the pier could become “derelict” due to the effects of flooding on the surrounding area.

“Norman, whose family has operated the pier for the past 80 years, criticised the current defence plans, stating they fail to protect the pier and nearby businesses as the proposed barriers are positioned inland rather than seaward,” reported Portsmouth News.

“He warned that the plans would effectively ‘enclose us’ and that rising sea levels could lead to the flooding of remaining businesses. Mr Norman revealed that he has attended numerous meetings and spent over £100,000 on ‘various professional fee earners’ to represent their objections, yet the council continues to ‘ignore our key objections.’”

Norman accused councillors of being “dismissive” of his objections, warning those present that “Portsmouth City Council may have another derelict site and a claim for compensation on their hands.”

A spokesperson for the scheme’s contractor Coastal Partners said Clarence Pier is a “difficult” structure to protect due to its position, adding “we have aimed to include as much of the affected area as we can.”