Plans for Penzance Harbour - Oh Dear!
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In the 1950’s, Penzance Harbour suffered a massive act of civic vandalism. Half of the harbour was landfilled and turned into a carpark. One might think that nowadays local government is more environmentally sensitive than it was back then. Apparently not.

Cornwall Council now has its sights on the other end of the harbour with a development plan that is just as unfortunate. The fact that all the harbour walls and many of the adjacent buildings are listed by English Heritage seems to be nothing more than an inconvenience.

Alternatives

There are several alternatives to the council’s proposed plans, including : siting the development in another part of the harbour; pursuing the Harbour Development Plan proposed by the Harbour Users Association; or running the ferry and freight service along the lines proposed by Charlie Cartwright, the former CEO and skipper of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company.

For information about Mr. Cartwright’s plan, follow this link : Trythall Shipping Ferry & Freight Proposal

If there were economic benefit to be derived from the Council’s plan, that would be some consolation. But its very hard to see what they are. This plan appears to be a white elephant that will waste millions of pounds of tax payers money and do permanent damage to one of the finest parts of Penzance.

Environmental Impact

If the council get their way, the beautiful pre-Victorian South Pier will be butchered. The gorgeous, curved granite stonework at the end of the pier with its iconic lighthouse will be disfigured by an ugly modern extension. And much of the seaward side of the Pier will be destroyed or obliterated by landfill.

5,000 square metres of foreshore (about the size of a football pitch) comprising much of Battery Rocks and all of the adjacent beach will be landfilled and developed as new premises for the Isles of Scilly Steamship company. Everyone in Penzance knows this place where many people swim, fish, picnic or just admire the view. If developed Battery Rocks will never be the same again.

Historic Importance

The area of Battery Rocks was once known as the Holy Headland, Pen Sans in Cornish. The sun-burnished granite of the old harbour wall adds to the natural beauty of the wild cove, as do the famous Jubilee Pool and St. Anthony’s gardens. Battery Rocks is a much loved and unique place where locals and visitors alike can peacefully enjoy the panorama of Mounts bay and St. Michael’s Mount.

The spiritual aspect of the headland makes it a natural choice for the siting of the War Memorial to the young men of Penzance who lost their lives in the 1st and 2nd World Wars. And there was once an ancient Chapel on the headland, the stone cross of which can now be seen in St. Mary’s Churchyard.

So it is astonishing that Cornwall Council has chosen this site to construct a terminal, car park and offices. The development will do irreparable damage to the South Harbour Wall and will devastate the character of this historic and beautiful part of the town. Massive amounts of rubble and concrete will be used to landfill the cove. Instead of wildlife and views of the Mount there will be offices, strip lighting and white lines on asphalt.

Regeneration

To add insult to injury, this development is being done under the guise of our old friend regeneration. It may be that much of the financing will come from government grants. But grants are paid for out of tax payers’ money. Taxes which are levied on ourselves as much as anyone else. And it would be interesting to know how much non-grant money has been spent so far on regeneration staff and the consultants and engineering companies they employ.

If the IoSS Co. (Isles of Scilly Steamship Company) can get the council to build new facilities for them at the tax payers’ expense then good luck to them. But could it not be done in one of the more sensible places which exist around the harbour? The ex-gas works site next to the Wharf Shopping complex is an obvious candidate. It is a brown-field site, available for development, it overlooks the harbour and is big enough for additional parking and any number of new buildings. Failing that, why not use the vacated Trinity House Lighthouse Museum, sited directly opposite the entrance to the harbour?

Vision

Better still the council could show some vision and adopt the long-standing Harbour Development Plan of the Penzance Harbour Users Association. This plan advocates the building of a marina and new pier to the East of the harbour. The plan has been favourably received in many quarters and was unanimously approved by Penzance Town Council.

A marina and new pier would have real benefits for Penzance, creating long term employment and integrated transport links. Local businesses would benefit as Penzance became a stopping-off point for yachts sailing around the coast on their way to the Isles of Scilly.

Isles of Scilly Steamship Co.

Originally the IoSS Co. was part of the consortium which has been pressing the Dept. of Transport to finance the council’s plans. Since the IoSS Co. was an intended beneficiary of these plans, they were obliged to withdraw. But its a bit of a mystery how the IoSS Co. would benefit. Will their costs be much reduced by operating new premises? Will holiday makers flock to Penzance when they hear of the wonderful new terminal?

Few local people can afford the high fares of travelling on the Scillonian ferry to the Isles of Scilly. Not only may the people of Penzance be offended by the Council/IoSS Co. development plans, but we are the ones who will be paying the cost of administering these schemes. Then there is the capital cost of some 20 million pounds for buying the IoSS Co. a new boat to operate.

New Boat

The council claims that a new boat is essential to maintain the ferry link to the Isles of Scilly. Does that ring true? Presumably, the Steamship Company have been properly maintaining their boats, the Scillonian and Gry Martha, in which case it should be possible to keep them in service indefinitely. An occasional refit would be much cheaper than commissioning a new vessel.

Both the Scillonian III and Gry Maritha are certified as sea-worthy for another 6 years. And marine design engineer, Ivan Rowe has expressed the opinion that the Scillonian III, is fit for at least another 12 years service before needing any major repairs. Read Mr Rowe’s comments in full.

The cost of purchasing a new boat is a matter of public interest as it will hit the pockets of the Cornish people. Are the council willing to publish the report upon which the need for a new boat is based? Who commissioned this report? And who paid for it?

The capital cost of a new boat would fall directly on local people in the form of council tax and business rates. How much of this money will be recouped and over what period? Why should the struggling rate-payers of Cornwall subsidise a comparatively wealthy business? If the IoSS Co. need a new boat, shouldn't they buy it themselves with a commercial loan, as any other business might expect to do?

Safety

The council also claims that new arrangements are essential to improve safety. Well, the biggest concern about safety should be the lack of a pedestrian crossing opposite the entrance to the harbour. The council could have addressed this years ago and at trifling cost. In the summer, thousands of foot passengers cross the main road here every month. They are usually carrying heavy luggage and often accompanied by children. Its a blind corner, with fast-moving traffic which is much heavier thanks to the last bout of regeneration. There isn’t even a pavement on the harbour side of the road.

Consultation

The council will tell you that they have public support as evidenced by their public consultations. But there is sleight of hand going on here. The Penzance harbour plan is part of a larger project called the Route Partnership Bid (aka Isles of Scilly Link Project). Most of the support quoted by the council comes from respondents on the Islands and does not take into account the impact on Penzance.

In any case, the public are wary of these consultations. People suspect that the council will ignore the results if they don’t get the right answer. And any survey depends upon how comments are interpreted and what question if any is actually asked.

Big Project Syndrome

The council’s unfortunate regeneration plans have done enough harm to Penzance. What will they do next? Perhaps Morrab Gardens could be regenerated as a car park and shopping centre?

One can only imagine that our council officials are suffering from big project syndrome. Their thinking has been distorted by the prospect of administering large grants. It seems to be useless to reason with them. But they are still obliged to do the bidding of our elected councillors.

Our councillors should ensure that listed buildings in the harbour and battery rocks area are given the highest protection. Jubilee Pool and the South Harbour wall are both listed by English Heritage. From a conservation point of view, the planned development should be a non-starter. Why aren’t the council’s conservation officers using their powers to protect our environment?

Conclusion

We must hope that Cornwall Councillors do not allow themselves to be rushed into this scheme simply because there is a prospect of partial government funding now. There are sensible alternatives. And it is likely that Cornwall will continue to be favoured by grants.

If grant money is taken for this scheme it will be that much more difficult to argue the case for funding for other schemes which would bring real benefit to Penzance. Surely, we can all agree that it would be better to take a bit more time and do the right thing.

Sept. 2008 (Updated Aug. 2009)