DUKE OF YORK NEWLYN REGENERATION VISIT

When he visits Newlyn, the top fishing port in England and Wales, on Thursday 5th September, the Duke of York will learn of the dynamic efforts under way to ensure its future prosperity.

Newlyn currently lands fish valued at nearly £20 million annually, with hundreds of jobs at sea and on shore.

As well as meeting fishermen and merchants and being told of the ‘Seafood Cornwall’ branding scheme for the fish catch, the Duke will be shown plans for over £67 million development of the century old harbour.

These will also be displayed at the Newlyn Fish Festival on Bank Holiday Monday (26th August) that is expected to attract some 20,000 visitors to the port. It will be opened by television chef and Padstow restaurateur Rick Stein.

The giant plan, already backed by harbour and industry leaders, councils and the public, includes a new pier, visitor walkway, maritime heritage centre, water sport facilities, breakwater, business park, new fish market, boat repair slipway, better traffic access and coastal footpath around the harbour area.

Members of the Newlyn Fish Industry Forum, led by Michael Galsworthy, Cornwall’s Vice-Lieutenant, have been working over the past 18 months on this “Regeneration Strategy” combining port and community.

“We have great expectations for a 21st Century harbour to embrace the needs of Newlyn, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly,” declared Mr Galsworthy, “but nothing will go ahead without the backing of the people.” Meetings with important funders are scheduled for the coming weeks – encouraged by the continued support of Penwith District Council.

“The character of Newlyn with its heritage and history, must not be lost but enhanced by the changes. We have put the emphasis on action and hope that over the next five to eight years time we will see our vision become a reality that will benefit both the fishing industry and local community of Newlyn, which are interdependent. We expect to be in a position to make an announcement on the project well before the end of the year.”

Jim McKenna, Chief Executive of Penwith District Council – the West Cornwall local authority commented, “We are seeking, by the new year to have in place a project manager and assistant who will concentrate solely on turning vision into a reality. I am delighted that the strategy has been supported unanimously not only by the Fish Industry Forum but also by the Harbour Commissioners and Penwith and Penzance councillors.

"A successful regeneration scheme will benefit not only Newlyn and Penwith but provide the focal point for the whole of the Cornish fishing industry. We look forward to the support of the Cornwall County Council in this.”

Robin Turner of the Newlyn Fish Merchants Association remarked, “We are keen to lift the profile of Newlyn to the top of the British fishing industry for health, hygiene and the marketing of quality fish from quality boats into the future. As active supporters of the project we would heartily recommend it to all interested parties in UK fishing.”

The new strategy plans to boost tourism, release sites for new business and affordable housing to conserve the unique heritage. Schools, leisure, cultural interests and local history have been closely woven into the scheme.

The proposals acknowledged by the Forum as “very ambitious, very costly and very demanding”.

The Forum comprises of representatives of all community aspects. Three sources of funding will be targeted; The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly FIFG Objective One programme, the South West of England Regional Development Agency and central government through DEFRA and the Government Office for the South West. The latter has welcomed the way in which the forum has not only focused on the role of fisheries but also on the wider agenda.

Atlantic Consultants have been the lead advisers.