As reported in The Cornishman/West Briton Thursday, September 27, 2012

Putting on paper the harbour vision

Thursday, September 27, 2012

The Cornishman

AMBITIOUS plans to improve facilities for fishermen and create jobs in Hayle Harbour came a step closer to reality last week.

The Hayle Harbour Trust, which is behind a £1.6 million proposal to develop and improve the harbour, submitted its application for stage two of the Coastal Communities Fund.

The charity has also released artist's impressions, pictured, of the plans for Hayle's East Quay, which include a mezzanine floor for a fish restaurant above fishermen's stores. The money would also be used to provide a wet fish shop, reconfigure the Vivier tanks for crustacean storage and provide support for the fishing industry including engineering and electrical workshops.

In other areas, the cash would help provide improved support for the Wave Hub project and the Marine Renewables Business Park.

Town councillor and trust chairman John Bennett said the funding application was submitted with the help of numerous people, including officers and members of Cornwall Council, the town council, Cornwall Development Company, planners, building control officers, Bob Mims – who produced architectural drawings – and quantity surveyor Trevor Humphreys.

He said: "When finished ... we had about 500 pages of justification for what is really a very simple idea that will create 60 sustainable jobs, increase catch value by supporting downstream processing, provide a wet fish shop, support mussel and fish farming and get the development of a vibrant, working harbour on its way."

The government-backed £24 million fund was launched this year to help coastal towns pay for projects that can transform seaside economies.

In a letter to the fund, George Eustice, MP, wrote: "(Hayle) was once one of the most important ports in the world and although, in recent decades, many heritage assets have fallen into disrepair, exciting plans are now afoot to restore the town to its former glory.

"The Hayle Harbour Trust's scheme is central to these plans and would revitalise the East Quay, thereby catalysing regeneration in the rest of the town."

Cornwall councillor for Hayle North John Pollard and ING director Simon Clarke added their support. A decision on the application is expected by the end of the year.

For more information visit www.hayleharbourtrust.org.uk