This is Conrwall
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MAKING the most of Mount's Bay as a backdrop, strengthening and diversifying the role of Penzance town centre and creating a more vibrant and economically active waterfront.

These are just some of the suggestions on which public feedback is now required for an ongoing project which is exploring future business and employment opportunities for Penzance and Newlyn.

The project, which aims to capitalise on future European funding opportunities, has been commissioned by Cornwall Council with AECOM, specialist consultants in economic development, carrying out the research.

In March, a brainstorming event put on at the Queen's Hotel saw several dozen movers and shakers spend the day investigating the best ways to develop the town should £7 million of potential Convergence funding become available.

AECOM has now analysed the social, economic and environmental strengths and weaknesses of the town and their findings will be shown at a public exhibition of the emerging Strategic Options and Key Issues for Penzance and Newlyn.

The exhibition showing outline proposals will run for four weeks from May 10 to June 4 online at www.cornwall.gov.uk/penzanceplan and at the following locations in Penzance: council offices, St Clare; St John's Hall; West Cornwall Hospital and Penzance Library.

Feedback forms are available at the exhibition venues and online. Carolyn Rule, Cornwall councillor for economy and regeneration, urged everyone to attend and give their comments.

"This is another important opportunity for the local community to get involved in shaping how their town could look," she said.

"We need to know what local residents, business owners and shoppers want to see in the town over the next 15 years."

The exhibition sets out the broad objectives which were identified for the town at the workshop and consultation in March and individual sites have been identified for possible change in the short to long term and grouped together to form transformational zones which, it is hoped, will prevent piecemeal development.

The exhibition sets out ideas for seven zones: Newlyn/Wherrytown; The Barbican; The harbour/Wharfside; St John's Hall; St Clare; Long Rock/Eastern Green; The waterfront.

After the exhibition, Cornwall Council will consult again, in the summer to confirm the recommendations before finalising the plan.

article copyright THE CORNISHMAN