Grahame Whateley, leading entrepreneur and self-made millionaire, is considering taking on the contentious chunk of Mount's Bay as his next development challenge.

His company, Castlemore Securities, could soon join forces with MDL to turn controversial plans for a five-star marina, hotel and housing complex at Penlee Quarry into reality.

Eric Hall, a senior director of Castlemore Securities, who met with local councilors and business leaders in Newlyn on Tuesday, said it was a matter of looking at what is here now and what could be here in the future.

"We've been looking at this site for 12 months - on a day like today it is easy to see the opportunity it presents," he said.

Mr Hall said the fate of the partnership would be known in June after several legal issues were ironed out.

If sealed, MDL and Castlemore will form a joint venture company and a planning application for the marina plan could be filed by the end of the year.

"There are obvious environmental and consent issues with this development - the biggest being the views of local residents about the traffic access and lift bridge. We must have due regard for that," he said.

Mr Hall said the residential properties would probably be sold on 125-year long leaseholds. Castlemore would retain the freehold.

Approximately 35% of the site would be developed with small shops such as yachting supplies, newsagents and off-licence.

And "a handful" of the properties would be five-bedroom family sized houses and a proportion would be affordable.

A signature restaurant that will "complement the Coastguard in Mousehole" will be sought for the hotel.

"We are not like other companies who come in with a one-size fits all policy.

"We are a niche development company with our own team of architects and we will be designing the buildings and houses to complement the setting and the views," he said.

? Edward Iliffe met with the Highways Agency on Monday to discuss proposals for the proposed lift bridge.

He said it was an enlightened meeting that gave him direction for the scheme.

article copyright THE CORNISHMAN 

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