John Lambourn has occupied the site in Newlyn rent-free while he led the project to restore the 111-year-old Ripple.

However, now the boat is in the water the Newlyn Harbour Commission, which owns the site, is demanding it back immediately.

Mr Lambourn says he needs another two weeks to put the finishing touches to the project and is calling on the Harbour Commission to repent.

The Strand site occupied by Mr Lambourn is earmarked for regeneration as part of Newlyn's £7 million fish market plan, which was granted planning permission last month.

Mr Lambourn, who leads the West Cornwall Lugger Trust, which restored the Ripple, said he had expressed an interest in setting up a lugger information point on the site, outlining ideas for a fish cafe, a lugger briefing room and a presentation room for Newlyn's fishing methods.

But, while the plans for the new fish market are finalised, the Harbour Commission has said it wants to grant a one-year lease to a fishing equipment company.

Mr Lambourn said this would be hugely counter-productive.

"Once they put containers on the site it immediately obstructs the regeneration project the Newlyn community has decided it wants through the electoral democratic process," he said.

The Newlyn Harbour Commission, which controls the affairs of the harbour and owns surrounding properties, says it has lost patience.

One commissioner, who asked not to be named, said: "That's prime waterfront land worth its weight in gold and he (Mr Lambourn) has had it rent-free for four years. It's time we took it back."

article copyright WESTERN MORNING NEWS 

Comments (0)