SOUTHEND Pier’s new £3million cultural centre could be plunged into darkness during the winter to avoid disturbing roosting birds.

Conservation experts insist any external lights, which could shed their glow on to the estuary, are switched off between November and March, to protect the river’s colony of ruddy turnstones and other birds.

The condition is the latest setback to hit the development, which was delayed for more than six months earlier this year after a group of the sea birds was discovered nesting in the pier’s metal supports.

Derek Jarvis, Tory councillor responsible for culture, conceded the restriction would make the centre less noticeable from the shore.

He said: “One of the main ideas of the lighting design was to ensure the centre could be seen from the shore.

“The reality of the situation is there are other factors which have to be considered.

“Anything which must be done from a conservation point-of-view will, of course, be done to ensure the centre can go ahead.”

Southend Council’s development control committee is due to rule on the plans for the cultural centre at its meeting tomorrow.

The plan has been recommended for approval by officers, meaning the pre-fabricated building could be constructed and winched into place by the end of March.

However, conservation body Natural England, which was automatically consulted as part of the planning process, has insisted the winter blackout is part of the conditions attached to any approval.

It wants any external bulbs, which would be used to light up the centre’s wave-shaped building, to be switched off between November 1 and March 31 every year in case the light spills out onto the estuary.

The body believes the unexpected glow could disturb wintering birds or disorientate those flying above the pier.

Activities within the centre include an artists’ studio, a cafe and exhibition area.

Andrew Meddle, the council’s head of planning, said there was still a chance the external lights could be used if architects can come up with a way to keep the glow to a minimum.

He said: “The design will need to provide lighting which is specially designed to reduce light spillage.”