WATERSIDE businesses in Penzance have agreed to relocate to make way for a major harbour development in the town if necessary.

The Penzance Business Network this week exclusively unveiled to The Cornishman their plans for Option PZ – an alternative to the Cornwall Council-led Option A.

Option PZ would site a mixed-use terminal on the landward side of the wet dock with both the Waterside Meadery and Penwith Marine Services relocating to a new site.

Meadery co-owner Shayne Smith said: "Relocation is a possibility and we would be happy to step back for the benefit of Penzance and not hold them to ransom."

Willing

Former Penzance architect Keith Bell has designed a modern see-through glass structure, the size of the original Option A terminus building.

The two-storey structure would provide space for passengers checking in and there would also be a restaurant and cafe overlooking St Michael's Mount for the public.

To the rear of it would be a freight shed and luggage handling building with a vehicle manoeuvring area at the back. Alternatively, freight could be handled from the Rail Head site near the bus station.

Mr Bell said: "It's a flexible building, not just for the link passengers.

"It's a modern, contemporary and crisp building that benefits Penzance and puts the harbour on the map."

Mr Bell said the network's scheme would prove cheaper because infilling of land would not be required.

He also said it would kick-start the much needed regeneration of Penzance.

"Option A does not provide regeneration, it does nothing further than retain the link. But we can do that and much more, together with the Route Partnership.

"The terminal would open the harbour to the public and the Trinity House could be used for workshops, markets and other public spaces."

In a statement, the network members said mixed use and sympathetic development was the key to regeneration.

"The availability of more harbour-side space allows the creation of a 50-berth yacht marina in the wet dock.

"This would be a much needed generator of income for the harbour itself, and would also bring in income for local businesses.

"The North Pier can become the harbour's engineering zone, serving both the wet dock and the drying harbour."

St Ives MP Andrew George has led discussions with the current waterside occupiers.

He has confirmed that the two businesses, which currently lease their spaces from the council, have been offered compensation packages to free the site.

Wow factor

He added: "They are happy to move. These businesses support the plans because they want to contribute to the regeneration of the town.

"It's not too late and the scheme will have the big wow factor."

But the Council of the Isles of Scilly has expressed its "serious disappointment" at what it describes as a political manoeuvre to disrupt and distract attention away from the Strategic Planning Committee, which will consider Option A again on March 8.

Chairman Julia Day said: "At this stage in its development, Option PZ is at least six to 12 months from being in a position to present to funders, even if it is deliverable within the budget and to the standards required and, in our opinion, this will be too late."

Members of the online campaign group A Future for Penzance were also highly critical of Option PZ. They have labelled it as 'Pipedream PZ'. Member Tim Dwelly said: "It is viewed by Penzance businesses as a blatant last-ditch attempt to scupper Option A on March 8. "The idea that we should put our faith in a cobbled together scheme which has no support from funders at the council or in Whitehall is ridiculous."

● Mr George is holding a public meeting, at which the plans will be discussed, at the Methodist Church in Chapel Street at 7.30pm on March 3.

ARTICLE COPYRIGHT - THE CORNISHMAN