05.04.04
Community Views on Sea Link Expressed

Last week 160 people attended a public consultation exhibition in the Town Hall to express their opinions on what improvements they would like to see at St. Mary's Harbour. Last month, The Council of the Isles of Scilly secured nearly £200,000 of investment to carry out technical investigations in St. Mary's Harbour. Funding came from a number of sources including an Objective One European Development Fund contribution of £88,295 to assist the project. The consultation exhibition was organised by Scott Wilson, the multi-disciplinary consultancy firm, contracted by the Council to develop Options.

Peter Sandover of Scot Wilson commented, "The team were very pleased over the response. Approximately 160 people visited the exhibition over the two days. We received a wide range of comments suggesting minor to major proposals for us to consider. Consistent in many of the comments was a very informed view of the issues and a strong desire for us to very carefully consider any potential changes to the historical and natural environment."

This was the first in a number of consultations planned for the coming months. "The next public exhibition will take place on St. Mary's at the beginning of June," added Peter. "At this point we'll have identified deliverable options and those which we are recommending which should be discounted."

As well as the exhibition, Scott Wilson's team have also met harbour businesses and users during the last few weeks to discuss their views. These meetings have included members of the Harbour Users Forum and statutory consultees such as English Nature, English Heritage and the Countryside Agency.

Scott Wilson is working closely with the Duchy of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, both of whom are members of the Route Partnership, the co-ordinating body for this study. Jeff Marston, Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, added, "The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group are fully supportive of the widest possible consultation that is part of the process of ensuring that the vital link for the Isles of Scilly is secured for the future."

Project organisers are emphasising that there is still time for the public to have their say. The display boards from the consultation can still be viewed – either in the library on St. Mary's or at community venues on all the off-islands. The same information is on the Council's website www.scilly.gov.uk

Feedback forms are available at the above venues or through the website for public views to be recorded. Completed forms on this initial consultation should be returned to the Planning department at the Council of the Isles of Scilly by the 16th April 2004.

For further information contact:

Jane Buchanan of the Council of the Isles of Scilly on 01720 423307
Peter Sandover of Scott Wilson's consultation team on 01548 531980

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Editor's notes:

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Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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