Scientific dredging trial to go ahead

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Plans to carry out a small-scale dredging trial in Falmouth harbour to measure potential environmental impacts have moved forward today after Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (FHC) was granted marine consent to carry out the trial.

The licence was granted by the Marine Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the trial will be carried out independently by Plymouth University’s Marine Institute.

The trial results are expected to form important evidence in the decision making process by the MMO on whether to allow the dredging of a deep water channel into the docks. The deep water channel proposals by the Port of Falmouth Development Initiative are aimed at safeguarding Falmouth’s future as a thriving working port and opening up new business opportunities,

Cornwall Council is contributing towards the cost of the trial in order to ensure that the potential environmental impacts of dredging are fully evaluated and understood.

Mark Sansom, Falmouth Harbour Master, said:

“We are pleased that the process is moving forward. This is an important step towards providing more evidence for consideration by the MMO in reaching a decision on the proposals for dredging a deep water channel into the docks.”

The Port of Falmouth Development Initiative was formed in 2008 to prepare and progress proposals for the development of the port, particularly focussed on proposals for the Docks area. The initiative includes representatives from Cornwall Council, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, A&P Falmouth, Pendennis Shipyard, Falmouth Petroleum Ltd and Cornwall Development Company.