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The ambitious 'Port Penlee' plan to turn Newlyn quarry into a multi-million-pound
marina, has won the backing of Penwith Council chairman Malcolm Pilcher.
He has called on all sides to get together to push the scheme ahead,
saying it could act as the catalyst for the future development of Newlyn,
Penzance - and the whole of Mount's Bay. The privately-financed £57-million
'five-star' project - which includes a marina in the quarry basin, a luxury
hotel, holiday villas and affordable houses - represents an investment
that must not be lost to Penwith, Mr Pilcher told The Cornishmanon Tuesday.
He says fears that support for the scheme would adversely affect funding
for Newlyn Fish Industry Forum's plans for the regeneration of the harbour
and port, are groundless as the two schemes can work "harmoniously
together" for the benefit of the district as a whole.
Mr Pilcher, who has lived in Newlyn for more than 30 years and who convened
a meeting at Penwith Council offices on Friday between 'all sides' says
that 85 per cent of people he has spoken to are in favour of the development,
including the Royal Irish Yacht Club who have told him "we would
love to see this happen."
He said: "There are two options. It's either a marina or a quarry.
I don't want to see quarry lorries going through Newlyn every five minutes.
I lived here when the streets were white with dust and I don't want that
scenario again."
The project team headed by local man, Tony Jarman, the driving force
behind the four-year land assembly acquisition process, and MDL Developments
Ltd - the UK's largest marina operators who have acquired the 100 acres
of brownfield land - were "bending over backwards" to work with
all parties to ensure the best possible outcome, said the council chairman.
He added: "Concerns over planning and environmental issues can clearly
be addressed as these people are willing to talk to anyone and everyone
to progress this scheme.
"And at the moment they are undertaking more tests on the quality
of water currently in the quarry."
Last tests showed it was of almost drinking-water quality.
Mr Pilcher says concerns that backing Port Penlee could spoil Newlyn
Forum's funding chances were without merit. "Quite honestly I fail
to see that this is likely to happen," he said.
"The two schemes actually complement each other and it is important
that both sides get together and work together for the good of Newlyn
and the wider area as a whole. I don't want this scheme to be hampered
by petty issues of control."
Responding to requests from environmental and conservation groups for
the quarry to be turned into a nature reserve, Mr Pilcher said: "No-one
likes nature more than me, but if you let it go back to a nature park,
where will the funding come from? This is only a justified argument if
we see an alternative scheme coming forward and that has just not happened."
Meanwhile, Tony Jarman, who attended Friday's meeting with MDL director,
Edward Iliffe - who gave a Port Penlee presentation - has said he was
pleased and gratified at the progress now being made. He hoped Port Penlee
had moved forward and the scheme - which he saw as a major project and
one which would sit well with the proposals for Newlyn - was now on course
for delivery.
Penwith Council's chief executive, Jim McKenna said: "The meeting
was very constructive and added a lot to the council's understanding of
the project. There are a number of issues to be addressed including the
environmental impact, transport and any potential housing development
for example, but MDL are aware of these and committed to finding solutions.
We will meet again (as we would with advocates of any major development
in the district) as soon as there is new information to consider. I would
add that the council is absolutely committed to the Newlyn regeneration
project through the work of the Fish Industry Forum."
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