Massive opposition to plans for Penzance harbour
23/1/09A “pre-planning” exhibition exit poll organised by the Friends of Penzance Harbour has shown that Cornwall County Council’s week-long attempt to win over the people of Penzance to their harbour development scheme has failed. Eighty five (85) percent of those questioned said they did not support the proposals.
The Friends of Penzance Harbour, who were present all week outside the exhibition, decided to conduct the poll after visitors complained about the confusing, biased and misleading new feedback form being used by the organisers. The exit poll result is consistent with the outcome of an earlier consultation in September 2008; on that occasion too 85% of the 267 people who expressed a preference in feedback forms said they objected to the plans.
The Friends of Penzance Harbour have been urging the public to attend the exhibition, look at what is being planned, and make their objections known. “The public’s response has been absolutely fantastic” said John Maggs, a spokesperson for the group, “we have always known that these unnecessary and destructive proposals were unpopular but the massive turnout and strength of feeling has been amazing”.
The Friends of Penzance Harbour are now calling on Cornwall County Council to delay any planning application until alternative proposals have been properly considered. Key among these alternatives is the creation of an out-of-town freight handling depot that would remove the need for one of the scheme’s most controversial aspects, the concreting over of a beach adjacent to the harbour to create space for freight sheds and lorry parking.
Exit Poll Results : download pdf | view pdf