Penzance Harbour Users Association

Proposals for the Development of Penzance Harbour

This document sets out proposals by Penzance Harbour Users Association for the development of Penzance Harbour prompted by recent initiatives by Penwith District Council (PDC).

The users welcome the recent initiatives of PDC aimed at enhancing the facilities and viability of Penzance harbour. They believe that the harbour represents a relatively unexploited resource which has an unrealised potential to assist the economy of West Cornwall . Many current activities, centred on the harbour, are not adequately supported by its infrastructure. Appropriate development could greatly enhance the attractiveness of the harbour to both local and visiting users. The harbour could (and should) be the centrepiece for the regeneration of the town to ensure its future economic diversity and prosperity. In the nineteenth century the town, in order to develop and ensure its future prosperity, made a leap of faith when investing in the harbour that we see today. We believe that the time is now right for another major enhancement of the town's maritime presence.

The current harbour facilities were designed principally to support the coastal freight trade. That activity has now ceased (except for the passenger and freight service to the Isles of Scilly) and has largely been replaced by an increasing use of the harbour for leisure and sport. However, there has been no significant investment in facilities for small-craft users during the twentieth century. Consequently, the bulk of harbour users representing the leisure and sporting interests operate with facilities which are inappropriate and inadequate – especially when compared with those available in coastal and tourist towns elsewhere.

The present facilities have a number of significant shortcomings which severely restrict the use of Penzance as a small-craft destination and venue:

On the positive side, Penzance has several natural assets which are of very significant benefit in the context of future development and economic activity:

•  It lies at the head of Penzance Bay and Mount's Bay which offer protection from Atlantic weather systems and swell.

•  There are numerous sites of interest to divers and anglers within a short distance of the harbour.

•  The large expanse of water which experiences only weak tidal flows is a superb venue for competitive sailing events.

•  The low frequency of commercial shipping within the bay results in very little conflict between commercial operations and leisure activities.

•  Penzance is in a key location as a maritime crossroads. Small craft on passage from the south coast of the UK and from France pass close by en route to:

•  Isles of Scilly

•  Wales

•  Scotland

•  Ireland
On a more local scale, many holidaying yachts contemplating a visit to the Isles of Scilly are discouraged by the relatively long sea passage from Falmouth to the islands but cannot rely on an accessible, secure berth at Penzance as a staging point. Consequently, many holiday cruises end at Falmouth because of the lack of suitable berthing in Mount's Bay.

The PHUA believes that Penzance must follow the path taken by many small coastal towns in this country and elsewhere in Europe ; it needs to develop a small-craft marina in order to underpin its future economic wellbeing.

 

The scheme outlined above has the following significant features:

The promotion of small-craft activity in a harbour does not only benefit the direct users. The harbour can be a focal point for visitors to the town who take great interest in observing waterside activities and who derive much pleasure from walking, drinking and dining at a water frontage. In this context we note the recognition contained in the Sutton Harbour Group's report that public access to quays and water frontage should be retained and enhanced wherever possible. This would create a more continental atmosphere at the harbour side.

Employment Prospects

A scheme of this nature will need to attract major external funding and it is anticipated that, to succeed, it will need to demonstrate a significant enhancement of local employment, preferably with skilled, year-round jobs.

The marina and its associated services will be a major employer with many skilled people employed: engineers, riggers, shipwrights, sailmakers etc. An example of this effect can be seen at the recently expanded Mylor yacht harbour where many staff are engaged by numerous workshops servicing the boats stored there. In addition, there will be a significant input to the general local economy by boat owners who live elsewhere but elect to keep their boat in Penzance marina. They will be paying berthing fees and purchasing local services to maintain their craft. An extensive survey conducted by the British Marine Federation published in 2007 estimated that for every job in a marina up to 12 were generated in the local economy and that marinas were effective in reducing the seasonality of employment.

The presence of the marina will also have other indirect benefits. With a suitable and convenient base, it is anticipated that there will be a significant increase in the potential for commercial diving angling and wildlife exploration/observation trips. This will be a more seasonal element but nonetheless a valuable contributor to the local economy.

The Association can be contacted via either:

Terry Marks , 01736 363376 (the author of this document) or:

Roger Lowry, 01736 360214 (Chairman PHUA).