Strategic approaches to catalysing the next phase of development at Newlyn Harbour was the focus of the Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners’ (NP&HC) March meeting.
“With the announcement of the application process for the government’s new Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, which aims to enable fishing businesses and coastal communities from across the UK to benefit from £360m of investment, we are now preparing bids for projects that aim not only to increase but maximise the useable space within the Port of Newlyn during the next two to five years,” explained Chair of Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners, Paul Durkin. “Whether by increasing the number of pontoons within the harbour or reclaiming land from the wider estate, this is our opportunity to adapt to the needs of a modern fleet and fishing industry, and secure the future sustainability of Newlyn Harbour.”
NP&HC is also working with Tower Group to develop a bid to the third round of The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator, the £50 million fund that provides early stage development funding to create investment-ready offshore wind projects.
The Newlyn Marine Skills & Resource Centre that will provide a much-needed centre of excellence for developing maritime expertise in Cornwall is now almost complete despite the exceptionally wet weather that slowed progress during the winter months.
“Mid-April is the likely timeframe for the building to be handed over to us by the contractors, R M Developments, at which point, our tenants, Seafood Cornwall Training (SCT), and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs agencies, the Marine Management Organisation and Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, will fit-out their facilities and SCT will prepare to welcome its first trainees,” said Harbour Master and CEO, Jonathan Poynter.
“The Centre has received £1.75 million from the government’s Town Deal programme and we were delighted to welcome members of the Penzance Town Deal Board and Cornwall Council, who successfully bid for a Town Deal worth £21.5 million to support a range of projects that will contribute to the regeneration of Penzance and Newlyn, for an early preview ahead of the official opening that will take place this summer.”
From strategic long-term aims to secure investment that delivers growth to short-term goals to complete maintenance works, the Harbour Commissioners are committed to the continuous renewal and future development of the Newlyn Harbour Estate.
In terms of an operational update, new wooden fenders are being installed and coping repairs to the market quayside are ongoing. Heating oil and fuel specialist, Heltor, is on course to establish a fuel tank at the end of Mary Williams Pier, work to modernise the water supply system continues and the recent landslip at Sandy Cove, caused by recent storms, is being investigated. Waiting lists for moorings on the pontoon are full and will be closed until further notice.
TMS Maritime has concluded its one-off operation to carry aggregates and other materials from South Pier but Kraken Marine Services will now routinely run cargo out of Newlyn.
The restoration of the Old Quay, which aims to revitalise the historic heart of Newlyn with renewed moorings and facilities for heritage and other vessels, is reaching its final stages and its transformation is almost complete, thanks to funding from Historic England and the hard work of Harbour Commissioner, Nick Howell, a loyal band of volunteers and local contractors.
“Whilst the continuing octopus bloom, brought about by unusually warm sea and air temperatures, has resulted in declining catch rates for brown crabs, European lobsters and king scallops, the prevalence of this new species in UK waters has provided an opportunity for the larger vessels in the fishing fleet to adapt,” added Jonathan Poynter. “We welcome the annual return of the Scottish prawn fleet this month too.”
NP&HC Board meetings take place on the first Friday of alternate months.
For further information about Newlyn Harbour, please visit newlynharbour.com
