IMPROVING the traffic flow around Penzance and creating a marina for the harbour are key priorities if European funding becomes available.
This conclusion came out of a recent consultation meeting set up to work out the best way forward for Penzance and Newlyn.
A consultation process, commissioned by Cornwall Council in conjunction with specialist economic development consultants AECOM, asked the public to contribute their views on the Penzance and Newlyn Area Framework Plan. And at the same time, a series of stakeholder consultation meetings has been taking place looking at specific zones in Penzance – Newlyn/Wherrytown, The Barbican, The harbour/Wharfside, St John's Hall, St Clare, Long Rock/Eastern Green and the waterfront.
Recently 70 people met at the AstroPark to discuss the way forward for the harbour and Wharfside area.
Penzance Town Clerk Simon Glasson was at the meeting and told The Cornishman: "I think we all felt that the harbour is a really key element for Penzance and from that the two main priorities emerged.
"Firstly there was general agreement that traffic in the town needs to be sorted out, particularly in the harbour area and in Market Jew Street. "And secondly it was felt that Penzance would benefit from having a marina although there were various suggestions on where and how big a marina should be.
"We also discussed the Prom and, as was demonstrated with the recent powerboat event, it was agreed that there is a lot of potential to use the Prom as an open space facility in the same way that Falmouth Moor and Truro's Lemon Quay are currently used."
Other issues discussed included the future of the Trinity House building and Coinagehall Street sites and how to improve the views over the harbour.
Mr Glasson said it had been a "very encouraging meeting", adding: "There are clearly a lot of areas on how Penzance should develop on which most people can agree.
"I hope that Cornwall Council can take away all the positive ideas and help maximise any Convergence funding that might become available."
The ideas from this and the other stakeholder meetings and the suggestion put forward by the general public will now be analysed by AECOM who should be returning to Penzance with more concrete suggestions some time in July.
Comments about the outline proposals can be sent to linda.davies@cornwall.gov.uk
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