A steady stream of people attended a public consultation in Newlyn last week, where the latest proposals for the redevelopment of the port were displayed.

Tony Woodhams, Newlyn Fisheries Project Officer; Tony Jarman, part owner of the Penlee Quarry and representative of quarry developers MDL, where in attendance to explain the revised plans for the harbour and to answer questions from the public about the proposed quarry redevelopment.

“We’ve had an extremely good response from most people about our revised proposals for the re-positioning of the fish market within Newlyn Harbour,” said Mr Woodhams.

“This will mean that we won’t have to infill behind the Tolcarne Inn, which was the most controversial aspect of the original plans.”

He said the scheme, which would have originally cost £110 million, would now be around £40 million.

“An outline planning application should soon be before Penwith planners for the quarry proposals,” he said.

“If the proposals are given the go ahead we are hoping to use material from the quarry to infill Sandy Cove where boats repair facilities will be developed.

“This whole scheme is a fine example of the private and public sector working together for the benefit of the community.”

Reports and plans, showing the results of marine and seabed investigations by Hyder Consulting UK Ltd, were displayed during the public consultation, along with housing proposals for up to 66 affordable homes in the centre of Newlyn.

The enhancement proposal also include the restoration of four water features in the port including the old shute in St Peter’s Hill and the covered well in Orchard Place.

The Trinity Methodist Church project to redevelop the church hall as a multi-use community hall, was also on display.

Organisers said that most comments on the proposals were positive, but villagers were still concerned about the amount of traffic that could be generated through the development of a marina, housing, hotels and businesses at Penlee Quarry.

The next public consultation and exhibition will be held in May.

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