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Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners’ Update – October 2022

Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners’ Update – October 2022

Following the monthly Board Meeting of Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners (NP&HC), here is an update on the latest developments at the Port.

As has been reported widely in the press, the UK Government has, as part of its Levelling Up agenda, released the first £18.0m of its £88.7m Town Deals Fund to deliver regeneration plans in four areas of Cornwall whose funding bids have been successful.

As Penzance and Newlyn are to gain from this investment, NP&HC are very pleased to be able to push ahead with plans to establish a Newlyn Marine Skills & Resource Centre and look forward to receiving confirmation of the date on which construction will commence.

“The Newlyn Marine Skills & Resource Centre will create a centre of excellence for learning and development in Cornwall,” explains NP&HC Chairman, Rob Wing.

“It aims not only to support and future-proof the marine sector by recruiting, training and retaining staff in order to strengthen Newlyn’s workforce but will also catalyse collaboration between partners to foster innovation, shore up the supply chain, attract further investment and stimulate the local economy.”

NP&HC will be present at the Penzance Expo at St John’s Hall on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th November. This event will provide residents with the opportunity to view and discuss the draft Neighbourhood Plan for Penzance and Newlyn as well as ask questions about the area’s Town Deals Fund projects.

NP&HC’s focus in this draft Neighbourhood Plan is the potential for development at Sandy Cove. With funding from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Commissioners have recently appointed marine civil engineers, WSP Limited, to cost three options for the site that will support Newlyn’s fishing industry, benefit the local community and advance the Port.

“I would like to record our particular thanks to NP&HC’s Advisory Board and its Vice Chair, Nick Howells, who presented the proposed options for the development of Sandy Cove at our October meeting,” adds Rob Wing.

“We are immensely grateful for the ongoing work of the Advisory Board, whose role is to consult with stakeholders on NP&HC’s behalf. Nick’s input is invaluable and we thank him very much indeed for all his efforts.

“We would also like to wish Roger Nowell well on his return to commercial fishing.  Roger came ashore to trial shoreside and joined us as a Deputy Harbour Master.  We valued his professional insight and look forward to him landing his catch to the Port once again.”

Other projects that have been selected to be presented to the MMO and DEFRA for funding, including the installation of a second grader in Newlyn Fish Market and the provision of fuel bunkering at Newlyn Harbour, continue to be managed and will be delivered within the next twelve months.

“After another turbulent month in British politics, the UK has another new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,” concludes Rob Wing. “We look forward to welcoming Thérèse Coffey MP to Newlyn Harbour just as soon as her schedule allows.”