09.01.03      
£50,000 study to assess the future of Mevagissey Harbour

Mevagissey Harbour will be subject of a new study to assess the economic potential for a regeneration programme to transform the coastal village with improved working and leisure facilities.

Present harbour defences at Mevagissey fail to protect the outer harbour, the inner harbour and village during inclement weather which can be exacerbated by fluvial flooding. The study will aim to make proposals to safeguard the infrastructure of the harbour as well as provide enhanced facilities for the use of the harbour by residents and visitors alike.

Possible solutions include the strengthening and raising of existing sea defences or the installation of a breakwater to protect both harbours and enable valuable workspace on the harbour-side to be increased. This option would also provide 24 hour landing access for the fishing industry. Currently only one fishing vessel can conveniently land at a time due to tidal conditions and improved landing facilities would add local value and quality to the catch.

Captain Hugh St A Bowles, who is Harbour Master for Mevagissey, said: “The project satisfies all aspects of the harbour from renewable energy, the provision of modern facilities for fishing and the pleasure boating industry as well as new and sustainable jobs for local people.”

The study which has been commissioned by Mevagissey Harbour Trustees is based on a bid written by Cornwall Enterprise which has successfully secured £50,000 of funding. Half of the funding will come from the Objective One Programme with match funding coming from the South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council, the Environment Agency, English Heritage, Restormel Borough Council and Mevagissey Parish Council together with the Harbour Trustees.

The study will be completed by Scott Wilson Oceans of Charlestown in conjunction with Atlantic Consultants of Truro.

Thomas I Dudley, Chairman of Mevagissey Harbour Trustees said: “This study will be the first vital step in the Trustees’ 50 year plan for preserving, enhancing and regenerating the 18th century harbour and the surrounding community. We anticipate that there will be extensive consultation on the draft proposals during March.”

For further information on the Mevagissey Harbour study, contact:
Hugh Bowles Mevagissey Harbourmaster on 01726 843 305 or
Chris Trevan Cornwall Enterprise by emailing chris.trevan@cornwallenterprise.co.uk or
Tim Williams of Scott Wilson Oceans tim.williams@scottwilson.com

Editor's notes:

Cornwall Enterprise aims to achieve economic prosperity for Cornwall and is a wholly owned company of Cornwall County Council.

For further press information contact Kate Selby on 01872 322931 or email kate.selby@cornwallenterprise.co.uk

Jason Clark
Communications Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388

jason@dclark.co.uk

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