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A new pressure group has been set up this week with the aim of giving
local people a voice over the regeneration plans for Newlyn and Penzance.
The group is called 'Friends of the Bay' and has been formed by Newlyn
residents Marcia Webb, Pat Row, Helen Feiler, Jennifer Paling, Anne Semmens
and Rachel Tregurtha. They are claiming that local people are not being
given enough information on the enhancement proposals and say that a website
set up by MDL Developments Ltd, the company behind the scheme, is complicated
and confusing.
On Monday the group held their first meeting with Lesley Nell of the
independent advisory organisation, 'Planning Aid South West' who has offered
to liaise on the group's behalf with the local authorities and the developers
involved with the proposals.
"We feel that local people are not being listened to and that the
developers are steam-rolling ahead with their plans for Newlyn and the
bay," said Marcia.
"We are not opposed to progress, but we don't want Newlyn to be
spoilt and there are a lot of us who are very concerned about the proposals."
She said local people were worried that the port might become a "bijou
tourist trap" and be "gentrified and sanitised".
Pat Row, who lives in a cottage which overlooks the sea at Newlyn, said
that if the proposals to infill the sea behind the Tolcarne Inn goes ahead,
her home will over-look a 450-space car park.
"This happened years ago to Penzance's harbour when the local authorities
allowed it to be infilled for a car park," she said.
"There are a lot of people in Newlyn who don't want to see this
happen again here in our harbour."
The group is also worried about increase in traffic generated by the
proposal to develop Penlee Quarry as a marina with housing and tourist
facilities.
Said Marcia: "We have to look very hard to find any updated material
on progress being made and get the sense the wool is being pulled over
our eyes and that we are not being offered a say in anything."
Marcia said that the group's meeting with the independent advisory officer
on Monday proved 'very productive' and that the officer would be liaising
on their behalf with MDL Developments and with Penwith and the county
council.
"She will be arranging for Friends of the Bay to receive the same
reports and information given to the councils and other organisations
involved in the proposals," said Marcia.
"She will also be making sure that our voice is heard and our views
taken seriously."
The group is planning to take their campaign to WI groups and local schools
and will be arranging roadshows.
Anyone wishing to join Friends of the Bay or register their opinion about
the regeneration proposals are asked to contact Jennifer Paling on 01736-363237
or Marcia Webb on 01736-731807.
article copyright © THE CORNISHMAN
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