"This is really great news for Newlyn," says chairman of the Newlyn Fish Industry Forum, Michael Galsworthy. "The harbour has huge potential if we simply take the time to plan for the future and make the very best of what we have got here."

The scheme to build a £7 million fish market has been approved by funders, pending the blueprint in September which will give final dimensions and the detailed business case for the building.

"We have got a finite amount of money and a limited time available to bid for it - which focuses the mind wonderfully!" says vice-chairman of Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commissioners, Douglas Williams. The Newlyn Harbour Commissioners are working with architects Pringle Richards and Sharrat, who drew up the initial plans for the fish market.

In past years Newlyn has produced a revenue of up to £25 million per year. Although this figure has dropped to almost £15 million in recent years, it is still one of the main sources of income in West Cornwall.

"People sometimes question the future of the fishing, but Newlyn is famous for the quality and variety of its fish," says director of Seafood Cornwall, Nathan de Rozarieux.

"While there are fish in the sea, there is going to be a future for this harbour - and it is important for us to fight for that."

The development plans will help keep Newlyn at the forefront of the industry. The fish market will have a low carbon footprint and will take advantage of the latest technology to conserve energy and maximise efficiency.

"The architects are paying close attention to the running costs, which are enormous on a scheme of this size," says chair of the Technical Advisory Group, Pat French.

"They are looking at Voltaic tiles on the roof, solar panels, wind generators, heat sinks, thermal mass blocks and air blast curtains - even converting the heat generated by people working in the market."

The new fish market includes the plan for a large open space around the Keel Alley area, which might have other community uses.

The September timetable has been set in order to take advantage of the final tranche of European Grants available from Objective One.

"Things are definitely on the move and it is more important than ever before that we all pull together to get the best results," says Newlyn harbour master, Andrew Munson.

Negotiations continue on the other parts of the regeneration strategy. The extension to the South Pier and reclamation of land at Sandy Cove are both part of the effort to combat rising sea levels and tidal surges.

"We are thinking ahead to the next 25 years and beyond," says Fisheries project officer, Tony Woodhams. "Everything we do will be designed for the future - we are taking pains to make our plans realistic, affordable and achievable."

article copyright THE CORNISHMAN 

comment:

News that building work on a new fish market in Newlyn could start within 12 months is a further encouraging sign in the regeneration of the port.Among all those involved in the ongoing work - harbour commissioners, members of Newlyn Fish Industry Forum, the technical advisory group and other members of the local community - there seems to be a shared vision of how to give Newlyn the best chance of a profitable future over the next 25 years as well as the expertise to know how to get the necessary funding packages and permissions.

There has also been full consultation at every stage of the process with the port's residents to ensure widespread support for what is going on.

A new pontoon mooring system for fishing boats, costing £2 million, has already been installed while the potential development of Sandy Cove lies ahead, together with the strengthening of the port's harbour walls.

Much has already been achieved and the prospects for the future are bright.

As harbour master Andrew Munson says: "Things are definitely on the move."