Row over shipyard expansion plans (From Falmouth Packet)

Row over shipyard expansion plans

12:20pm Monday 8th October 2012 in News

A row is brewing at the docks after bosses at A&P Falmouth slammed plans for expansion at the neighbouring Pendennis Shipyard.

The superyacht specialists have submitted an application to build two wet docks and a wet basin to hold back the tide.

The plans are part of the Port of Falmouth Masterplan, drawn up by both A&P Falmouth, and Pendennis Shipyard alongside other interested parties, including Falmouth Town Council and the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners.

However, three letters of objection from top bosses at A&P Falmouth have been received by planners at Cornwall Council.

Peter Child, managing director of A&P Falmouth, listed three main objections; *The application could affect the hydro-dynamics in the dock basin and could lead to more silt in the harbour.

*The changes would allow Pendennis Shipyard to compete with A&P Falmouth for small ship repair work.

*The changes would lead to an increase in traffic and personnel accessing the shipyard, affecting the security of A&P's operation in the docks.

Mike Reynolds, port operations director at A&P Falmouth, listed the same three objections, but also added another two; *Access to A&P's largest dry dock may be compromised by the creation of the new wet dock at Pendennis Shipyard.

*The number of large boats accessing the new facilities could lead to safety issues in the area.

The Peel Group, which owns A&P Falmouth, has also written to object to the plans, with group head of port planning Warren Marshall raising fears over the effect the scheme would have on the local environment, and whether the application conforms to the National Planning Policy Framework.

The plans have been given the approval of Falmouth Town Council, while the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners have also raised no objections, with both saying the proposals conform to the wider docks masterplan.

Councillor Diana Merrett, chairman of the council's planning committee, said: “I have arranged a meeting for myself and the mayor to meet with representatives from the docks next week to discuss the situation.”