As reported in The Cornishman/West Briton Thursday, November 15, 2012

ING set to seek views on bridge proposals

Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Cornishman

THE PEOPLE of Hayle are set to be asked their opinions on two key issues for the future of the town.

Local people will be consulted on plans to build a new footbridge as well as over the transfer of land into community ownership.

The first of the consultations to be held by Hayle harbour owner ING is likely to be on the position and type of bridge linking either South Quay to East Quay or South Quay to Penpol Terrace.

ING Red's UK acquisitions director, Simon Clarke, said: "There are three or four options that we could pursue for a bridge and we will consult on those. I am preparing presentation boards for the bridge and we have had some initial consultation meetings."

People will be asked their opinions on what location they think most suitable for the footbridge and whether they think the bridge should be fixed or have a lifting section.

Mr Clarke said the Dutch firm was being as flexible as possible with Cornwall Council and if the authority decided it wanted to do a more ambitious project it could bank the money.

At a recent meeting, town councillors discussed the public consultations and raised concerns over the process.

Town councillor John Bennett said: "We are a bit concerned about the two consultations that (need to be done) under the Section 106. I would like to make a proposal that this council urges ING to get a move on with the consultations.

"I am also concerned about the process and I don't want us to get into a position where we get to the last three months and we have a very brief process put on us.

"I think we need more details on what they want to do."

Councillors resolved to urge ING to conduct a public consultation regarding bridge design and community land transfer, and supply details of the consultation process as soon as possible.

But Mr Clarke said the consultations were in hand, although the second – involving the community land transfer and transfer of the harbour management to a community body – was more complicated.

Assets

In August last year ING said it would transfer a hefty list of assets back into the ownership of the town.

The company proposed gifting its property to a new community trust and setting up a ground rent scheme across its outline master plan to help self-fund the running and maintenance of the harbour in the future.

It will now offer a number of options for who should manage the port, likely to include setting up a community interest company to run the harbour or creating a municipal port, which would transfer ownership to the council.

Mr Clarke said: "That is a lot more involved (for this consultation). We have had some preliminary meetings but if I can get it going just before Christmas I will."