‘This is the last deep water wharf left in Cornwall’ (From Falmouth Packet)

‘This is the last deep water wharf left in Cornwall’

10:35am Wednesday 8th August 2012 in Skipper

 Ah, the joys of spin. If it was an Olympic sport, I am sure Britain would be leading the world at that discipline as well as at all the others.

I am referring to the proposed hotel earmarked to be built on Falmouth Wharf.

Now, to the uninformed, it may sound like a wonderful idea, and a positive boost for the town.

A high-class hotel and luxury apartments all mingling alongside a bustling light-industrial area sounds perfect, especially with the proposed berths for water taxis to take the new residents and guests into Falmouth town centre when needed.

Indeed, the develoment sounds fantastic, and, as those behind it say, it can only create jobs for the area.

I for one applaud those behind such a wonderful scheme, but would just like to point out, no-one is looking at what already occupies the site.

Falmouth Wharf is the last deep-water wharf working not just in the town, but in the whole of Cornwall.

It is also one of the most vibrant areas left in the town, and veritably buzzes with creativity from the vast array of businesses and artists who currently work there.

There are carpenters, boat builders, artists of all sorts, metal workers, sculptors - almost anything you can think of - working and thriving in the vicinity.

It is a wonderful, eclectic mix of traditional and modern, of hard industry and the arts, and a truly unique place in Falmouth.

As I said, the plans for the hotel and apartments are fantastically designed, and would be a wonderful addition to the town. However, they must not be allowed to be built to the detriment of this vibrant and eclectic area.

 

• On a separate note, it is not often I spend every hour glued to the TV, but the Olympics have gripped me in much the same way as they appear to have gripped the rest of the UK. There is the obvious sense of pride generated by the superb performances by the athletes of Team GB, whose efforts have been nothing short of miraculous.

   

  Then there is the second sense of pride in knowing how well Britain has done in organising the games.

  Finally though, there is the greatest sense of pride of all, knowing that our Ben Ainslie, the local lad, has proved himself to be the greatest sailor in Olympic history.

  Well done Ben, we are truly proud of everything you have done.