Plans for a state-of-the-art marine skills centre at the heart of Newlyn’s ancient harbour have been revealed.
It is hoped the proposed Marine Skills and Resource Centre will improve training and skills development for Newlyn’s fishers and those who work at sea or in the wider maritime industry.
Architects Poynton Bradbury Winter Cole say if plans get the green light, the centre will replace the current training facilities, which are scattered around the town, providing a state-of-the-art building, sensitively designed to blend into the surrounding area.
PBWC director Cian Spowart said: “Newlyn Harbour has been operating since the 15th century and its fishing fleet is considered to be one of the largest in the UK.
“The Marine Skills and Resource Centre will centralise the services currently on offer to fishers and those who work at sea. The purpose-built centre will help to future-proof the maritime industry in Newlyn and beyond.”
As well as providing learning and development opportunities, the centre will help to recruit, train, and retain the young people and adults needed to support the fishing, related food processing and wider marine sectors.
The proposed three-storey, multi-departmental building, would be built using timber and natural Cornish granite, with a slate roof or a ribbed, slate-coloured zinc roof.
Inside would be seafood training spaces, with engineering training on the ground floor and classroom-based training on the first floor.
There would also be engineering workshops, offices, a fisherman’s lounge, and a reception area.
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Cian added: “The building will have a robust and low maintenance finish that will blend well with the existing buildings around Newlyn.”
The site is currently used by Marine Management Organisation Officers, who have a temporary unit stationed there. The MMO’s purpose is to protect and enhance the marine environment, and support UK economic growth by enabling sustainable marine activities and development.
Newlyn Harbour Marine Skills and Resource Centre is one of seven projects within the Penzance Town Deal benefiting from the Government’s Town Deal Fund investment.
Others include a revamp of Penzance Harbour - to include a new freight handling facility at West Quay and new engineering workshops with improved harbour welfare facilities for resident and visiting boats on the harbour’s North Arm – plus a major restoration project at The Gardeners' House Penzance.
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