News that the effect plans to protect three species of birds which winter in Falmouth might have on work carried out at the docks, will not be taken into account by the Government has been described as “another nail in the coffin of Falmouth’s prosperity.”

Falmouth Town Council has expressed its “disappointment” in the reply it has received from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) after it voiced its concerns over the proposed Special Protection Area which would cover an area from Falmouth Bay to St Austell Bay.

Councillors are worried that should the zone be introduced as proposed, it could impact on what work can be undertaken at Falmouth Docks and they made that point to DEFRA which has now told them, that argument will not be taken into account.

This news was not received well by councillors last week. Alan Jewell said: “It’s a joke. I’m very disappointed with the response from DEFRA.

“It’s another nail in the coffin of Falmouth’s prosperity.”

Councillor Candy Atherton added: “I am deeply concerned by this response which was probably written by a junior who does not even know where Falmouth is and has no understanding of the importance of our docks.

“I think we should write back in the strongest possible terms and make it absolutely clear that while we love diving birds and we welcome them, as we do any visitors, to Falmouth, we need to protect our docks.”

The council unanimously agreed with Ms Atherton’s proposal and a letter is to be drafted and sent to DEFRA.