A boat park in Falmouth could be extended if plans are given the go-ahead.

A consultation has launched on a marine licence application to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for an extension to the boat park pontoons at Grove Place. 

Falmouth Harbour, previously known as the harbour commissioners, wants to add two further pontoon sections to extend the pontoon platform that already exists to the side of the boat park.

This, it said, would be to provide additional pontoon space for recreational and commercial vessels, but the main aim was to improve safety rather than attract extra boats.

The site is within the boundary of the Fal and Helford Special Areas of Conservation, although the particular area is not a designated feature in it.

The two extra pontoon sections would each be 11.5m long by 2.5m wide, giving a total additional area of 57.5 square metres.

The would be added to already installed pontoons surrounding the top of the boat park.

 

The proposed additional two pontoon sections to the boat park Picture: Falmouth Harbour

The proposed additional two pontoon sections to the boat park Picture: Falmouth Harbour

 

In the pre-application document, Falmouth Harbour writes: "The new pontoon sections will be floated and towed into position from the slipway to the end of the existing pontoons.

"The new sections will be attached to the existing pontoons using bolts and secured to the side of the boat park using chains, to prevent too much movement of the pontoons away from the boat park wall."

A scoping assessment has been completed due to the site being within the Fal and Helford SAC and shellfish waters.

Part of this looked at the potential risk of invasive non native species, with Falmouth Harbour saying the pontoons used will either be new or not transferred from a water body outside of the SAC, to limit transfer of such species from one water body to another.

"Awareness posters are in place at the top of the slipway as part of the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners biosecurity plan to increase awareness of harbour users and encourage activities that control spread," added the body.

 

Chain connection to existing end Picture: Falmouth Harbour

Chain connection to existing end Picture: Falmouth Harbour

 

"The additional pontoons are not likely to have a significant impact on the Fal and Helford SAC relating to water quality."

It went on to add that while the additional pontoon sections meant more recreational and commercial users could use the facility, it stressed: "It is expected that the changes will facilitate safer access. It is not likely to attract significantly more users over and above normal expected for the harbour."

Falmouth Harbour said it would reduce the risk of abrasion or disturbance of the substrate on the surface of the seabed as much as possible, by ensuring the amount of chain in contact with the seabed would be minimised as much as possible during the operational life of the pontoon.

"It is not expected constructions and maintenance activities will result in disturbance to the seabed," it added.

Higher sensitivity habitats includes clam, cockle and oyster beds, intertidal seagrass, maerl, sub-tidal kelp and sub-tidal seagrass.

You can view the full application on the MMO website using the case reference MLA/2022/00002.

Details can be found on the Cornwall Council website, application reference PA22/01301.