Southwold Pier has applied to install a trampoline attraction and ticket kiosk outside its Pier Pavillion. The move forms part of a wider plan by the owners Charles and Amy Barwick, who acquired the pier in March 2024, to revive the attraction’s offerings and reignite the seaside resort’s tourist offering.
It’s thought the planners agree with the Barwick vision, the councillors less so.
The proposals are due to be considered by East Suffolk Council’s northern planning committee at a meeting in Lowestoft on 12 May and are being recommended for approval.
“The trampoline itself would consist of four trampoline platforms in a cross shape, with bungee rigging in the centre of the cross,” said a report to councillors. “The trampoline is considered an attraction one would expect to find at a seaside location such as this. It is not overly large and would complement the pier location.”
Members of Southwold Town Council objected to the plans, stating the unit “will reduce accessibility along the promenade, taking up a significant area of the promenade in this heavy footfall location,” while the design and size of the pay booth “is out of character for the area”.
It’s a stunning stance from some elected councillors: less rather than more entertainment and children’s facilities is clearly to the benefit of the Southwold allure they seem to think.
However, the planning report to councillors disagreed, concluding: “Overall, the proposed development is not considered to significantly affect the character and appearance of the area around the pier.
“The trampoline and pay booth, although reducing open space on the promenade is considered to leave sufficient spaces for pedestrians to navigate along the promenade.”
It is being recommended that the scheme be approved, subject to conditions.
And if it isn’t, that worrying emerging pattern up and down the country of councillors blocking hospitality growth will be played out in Southwold: the real problem with planning in the UK is not the laws, it’s the ignorant and arrogant councillors themselves.
