In a meeting where members were passionate about the need to push ahead with developments Cornwall Council’s cabinet voted to endorse the Masterplan and formally adopt it as background to relevant planning decisions.
Mike Varney, Cornwall Council member for Falmouth Boslowick, told the meeting: “This is phenomenal news and not just for Falmouth. It will be to the benefit of the whole of Cornwall and beyond.”
One of the proposals included in the Masterplan is the dredging of a new approach channel to the Docks, which would be of great economic benefit as larger ships including cruise ships would then be able to access the port.
Cllr Varney said that Cornwall Council should “champion a solution” to the issue of dredging and work with central government to find a way forward.
The Masterplan states that with the implementation of the proposals total full-time jobs at the port should increase by 54% between 2010 and 2015 – from 1,401 to 2,165 – and by 138% by 2030 – increasing to 3,335.
Chris Ridgers, Cornwall Council cabinet member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “This represents a very significant milestone for the Port of Falmouth.”
The Port of Falmouth Development Initiative (PoFDI) was formed in 2008 to prepare and progress proposals for the development of the port, particularly focussed on proposals for the docks area. The Port of Falmouth Masterplan, drawn up by Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design, is the result of this work.
The proposals, which centre around Falmouth Docks, set out projects for the next five years, as well as for the longer term up to 2026. These include modernising ship repair facilities, upgrading wharves at the docks, improving bunkering services and providing a new superyacht basin, workshops and associated facilities.
The Masterplan is the result of independent studies by world leading consultants, extensive public consultation, and the work of the Port of Falmouth Development Initiative members, which includes representatives from Cornwall Council, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, A&P Falmouth, Pendennis Shipyard, Falmouth Petroleum Ltd, Cornwall Development Company and the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency).