A planning application which would have led to a 60 berth marina being built within the basin at Falmouth's historic Custom House Quay has been withdrawn following world-wide objection.

Falmouth Harbour Commissioners were behind the scheme which led to former Falmouth pilot and Packet shipping correspondent David Barnicoat starting an online petition which soon attracted over 1,300 signatures.

The planning applications also attracted around 200 comments when they went live on Cornwall Council's planning register. Historic England's Simon Hickman initially did no raise any objections to the proposals, but only this week changed his views.

He said: "Having further considered the proposals and the information since provided, I regret that my initial views may not have fully considered the communal value of Custom House Quay, and the contribution the quay's setting makes to its significance."

That change of heart has led to the harbour commissioners reconsidering their stance. Mark Sansom, chief executive and harbour master, said: "In light of the high number of objections to our proposal and taking into account the recent comments from Historic England, we are withdrawing the current planning application in respect of the pontoons in Custom House Quay Basin.

"Our Consultative Committee are meeting with some of the objectors next week and we will be listening carefully to their feedback before deciding on the next steps.”