A major investigation, costing over £600,000 will soon be under way in Mount's Bay, to help determine the scope and scale of future developments off Newlyn harbour and Penlee quarry, the Penzance promenade and harbour.

The contract has been gained by Hyder Consulting (UK) Ltd (HCL) of Plymouth and is expected to last at least until July next year. There are multi-million pound projects in prospect. Penwith District Council has secured over £600,000 funding for the Mount's Bay technical investigations.

"We are delighted to have been appointed to work in partnership with Penwith Council and the other funders to carry out the technical investigations and study work for the contract," said Ian George, HCL project manager.

"Hyder have had an office in the South West for over 35 years and we are once again able to demonstrate our commitment to the region through this work.

"Hyder are well known in the area for work on widening and strengthening the Tamar Bridge and our previous work on the Penzance Sewerage Scheme for South West Water, including Chyandour sea defences."

As well as supporting work on the harbour developments at Newlyn and Penzance the Hyder contract will encompass proposed sea defence work along the Penzance Promenade and explore the implications of proposed new breakwaters to a new channel which could help turn Penlee Quarry into a site for a 190 berth marina with housing and hotel.

Michael Galsworthy, chairman of the Newlyn Fish Industry Forum, commented: "I am delighted that there is solid progress on the technical investigations and that this is the first major concrete stop in the overall regeneration strategy."

Nigel Horwell, Penzance regeneration manager said: "There are significant savings to be gained by acquiring the maritime data for all these developments at the same time.

"Much of the data that will be acquired will be common to each of the developments. By working in partnership and pooling existing information we may also be able to make even further cost savings."

Stepehn Bohane, head of operations for Cornwall for the South West Regional Development Agency, said: "We are pleased to offer funding support for this survey work which will help to unlock major regeneration proposals. The RDA is committed to working with local partners to develop realistic projects which will improve the economy of the area."

The Newlyn Forum has a large scheme for the future of the harbour and community.

Andrew Munson, Newlyn Harbour Master, said this week: "The Harbour Commissioners are delighted that, at long last, the vital importance of the port of Newlyn to the district of Penwith and the county of Cornwall, has been recognised.

"The survey will enable the commissioners to formulate their proposals for the long-term benefit of the port, maintaining its position as the top fishing port in England and Wales and ensuring continuation of employment for fishermen, associated workers and the development of small boat pontoons to encourage visiting pleasure craft.

"The development will include new pier and breakwater as part of a wider regeneration of the whole community, including artistic heritage tourism."

The Penzance harbour scheme includes improved facilities for the Isles of Scilly ferry and marina.

The data from the HCL surveys will be fed into a computer model to study the effects of the new developments on the waves and currents in the bay and to look at wave penetration in the harbours.

A flood risk study will be necessary to asses the development impact on the Newlyn Coombe river and identify opportunities to improve the discharge capacity of the river.

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