The ambitious 'Port Penlee' plan to turn Newlyn quarry into a multi-million-pound marina, has won the backing of Penwith Council chairman Malcolm Pilcher.

He has called on all sides to get together to push the scheme ahead, saying it could act as the catalyst for the future development of Newlyn, Penzance - and the whole of Mount's Bay. The privately-financed £57-million 'five-star' project - which includes a marina in the quarry basin, a luxury hotel, holiday villas and affordable houses - represents an investment that must not be lost to Penwith, Mr Pilcher told The Cornishmanon Tuesday.

He says fears that support for the scheme would adversely affect funding for Newlyn Fish Industry Forum's plans for the regeneration of the harbour and port, are groundless as the two schemes can work "harmoniously together" for the benefit of the district as a whole.

Mr Pilcher, who has lived in Newlyn for more than 30 years and who convened a meeting at Penwith Council offices on Friday between 'all sides' says that 85 per cent of people he has spoken to are in favour of the development, including the Royal Irish Yacht Club who have told him "we would love to see this happen."

He said: "There are two options. It's either a marina or a quarry. I don't want to see quarry lorries going through Newlyn every five minutes. I lived here when the streets were white with dust and I don't want that scenario again."

The project team headed by local man, Tony Jarman, the driving force behind the four-year land assembly acquisition process, and MDL Developments Ltd - the UK's largest marina operators who have acquired the 100 acres of brownfield land - were "bending over backwards" to work with all parties to ensure the best possible outcome, said the council chairman.

He added: "Concerns over planning and environmental issues can clearly be addressed as these people are willing to talk to anyone and everyone to progress this scheme.

"And at the moment they are undertaking more tests on the quality of water currently in the quarry."

Last tests showed it was of almost drinking-water quality.

Mr Pilcher says concerns that backing Port Penlee could spoil Newlyn Forum's funding chances were without merit. "Quite honestly I fail to see that this is likely to happen," he said.

"The two schemes actually complement each other and it is important that both sides get together and work together for the good of Newlyn and the wider area as a whole. I don't want this scheme to be hampered by petty issues of control."

Responding to requests from environmental and conservation groups for the quarry to be turned into a nature reserve, Mr Pilcher said: "No-one likes nature more than me, but if you let it go back to a nature park, where will the funding come from? This is only a justified argument if we see an alternative scheme coming forward and that has just not happened."

Meanwhile, Tony Jarman, who attended Friday's meeting with MDL director, Edward Iliffe - who gave a Port Penlee presentation - has said he was pleased and gratified at the progress now being made. He hoped Port Penlee had moved forward and the scheme - which he saw as a major project and one which would sit well with the proposals for Newlyn - was now on course for delivery.

Penwith Council's chief executive, Jim McKenna said: "The meeting was very constructive and added a lot to the council's understanding of the project. There are a number of issues to be addressed including the environmental impact, transport and any potential housing development for example, but MDL are aware of these and committed to finding solutions. We will meet again (as we would with advocates of any major development in the district) as soon as there is new information to consider. I would add that the council is absolutely committed to the Newlyn regeneration project through the work of the Fish Industry Forum."

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