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

The Newlyn Marine Skills & Resource Centre, that is being part-funded by the government’s Town Deal Fund, the aim of which is to deliver long-term economic and productivity growth, has been granted planning permission by Cornwall Council. This provides the green light to create a much-needed centre of excellence for learning and developing maritime expertise in Cornwall, at the heart of Newlyn, on The Strand, and NP&HC is now tendering for its lead contractor.

This project has received £1.75 million from the government’s Town Deal programme. Penzance Town Deal Board, in partnership with Cornwall Council, successfully bid for a Town Deal worth £21.5 million to support a range of projects that will contribute to the regeneration of Penzance and Newlyn, and boost the local economy. As the lead authority for Cornwall Town Deals, Cornwall Council supports the governance role of the Penzance Town Deal Board and administrates the fund.

In progressing the Harbour Commissioners’ long-term ambitions to develop Newlyn Harbour and Sandy Cove for the benefit of local stakeholders, WSP Limited is currently conducting surveys and compiling technical reports. The results will help to inform the planning of short- to medium-term projects that support the delivery of NP&HC’s broader aim.

This project has received £100,000 from the government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the aim of enabling people to access opportunity in their communities.

NP&HC is also driving forward a strategy to elevate efficiency and heighten safety in the lorry park area of Newlyn Harbour, in collaboration with its Advisory Board and harbour users, for both the short- and long-term.

As part of scheduled maintenance to continually improve the Newlyn Harbour estate, the fender pilings upgrade has been successfully completed with the previous wooden pilings having now been replaced with steel H sections to support the newer, heavier vessels in the fleet. This project has received £78,375 from the government’s Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, which provides financial assistance for projects that support the development of the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors. Ladders are now being reattached or replaced and further upgrades are planned to take place over the next three to five years.

Work continues to improve the drinking water points on Mary Williams Pier. Standard push fittings are being incorporated to create a watertight system for vessels to connect their own hoses to, whilst minimising water waste.

The maintenance of the Light House has also been completed and the scaffolding has been removed; new bollards are being installed at the Fish Market and Ice Berth, and pontoon fixings are being repaired on a phased basis.

A bathymetric survey has been undertaken as part of Newlyn Harbour’s Port Marine Safety Code Duty, which shows that there have been no significant changes to the harbour’s depth during the past three years. The next survey will take place in 2027.

Newlyn Harbour has also welcomed the arrival of Harland and Wolff’s fast ferry for the Isles of Scilly, the Atlantic Wolff, which will berth overnight on South Pier during the summer season.

“Following Rob Wing’s retirement, I am proud to take up the baton and continue his work to deliver sustainable prosperity for Newlyn Harbour in partnership with my fellow Commissioners; Newlyn Harbour Master & CEO, Jonathan Poynter and his staff; NP&HC’s Advisory Board, Newlyn’s fishing fleet, harbour users, partners, government officials, regulatory authorities and the wider community,” comments NP&HC’s new Chairman, Paul Durkin.

“With strategic thinking, creativity, investment and ongoing dialogue with all our stakeholders, we can meet the challenges of the future head on and achieve our ambitions for the benefit of Newlyn, Cornwall and the UK fishing industry.”

ENDS

Notes

About the Government’s Town Deals Programme

The government’s Town Deals Programme aims to regenerate towns and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. This is through investments of over £2.35 billion across c. 700 projects nationwide in urban regeneration, digital and physical connectivity, skills, heritage and enterprise infrastructure.

For further information about the Town Deals Programme, visit www.gov.uk/government/collections/towns-fund

About the Penzance Town Fund

Penzance Town Deal Board, in partnership with Cornwall Council, successfully bid for a Town Deal worth £21.5 million to support a range of projects that will contribute to the regeneration of Penzance and Newlyn, and boost the local economy. Cornwall Council is the lead authority for Cornwall Town Deals and supports the governance role of the Penzance Town Deal Board and administrates the fund.

For more information about Penzance Town Fund, visit www.penzancetownfund.co.uk

About the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

About the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme

The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS), administered by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), delivers investments to safeguard the long-term sustainability, resilience and prosperity of the seafood sector across England.

Since opening in 2021, the scheme has been incredibly successful with £27 million invested in over 1,300 projects supporting England’s catching, aquaculture and processing sectors, as well as projects that are improving the marine environment.

This is the final year of the scheme but further information can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/guidance/fisheries-and-seafood-scheme#about-the-fisheries-and-seafood-scheme