Local MP Andrew George, who brokered and chaired negotiations between the Route Partnership and Friends of Penzance Harbour, has welcomed the Route Partnership’s decision to withdraw its planning application for the southern extension of Penzance Harbour.
George described the Route Partnership’s decision as ‘considered and honourable’.
Last September, George called upon the Route Partnership – which was established in 2003 comprising of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, the then Penwith District Council, Cornwall County Council and the Duchy of Cornwall – to look at alternatives and to engage in a debate with interested local parties and which he offered to chair.
George brought together representatives of the Route Partnership and the Friends of Penzance Harbour in April. This was followed by an agreement by the Route Partnership to explore alternatives to the controversial proposals to extend Penzance Harbour to the south.
He commented: “The decision is welcome. The proposal generated considerable controversy. Of course, it is not possible to promote a development of this scale without creating some controversy. But it appears that the alternatives would be more acceptable to the local community.
“Although it has taken a while for us to get to this point, it is important that the momentum behind the plans to improve the Isles of Scilly link is not lost.
“It just goes to show what can be achieved when you swap placards and petitions for constructive discussion and roundtable meetings. I congratulate both sides in what was previously a very heated dispute. This will auger well for the future and will be reassuring to the Department for Transport and the Shipping Minister.”
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