Seb NobleCornwall political reporter, Falmouth
APCL A&PA £150m project to redevelop deep water docks will be completed quicker with a new approach to planning regulation, the government has said.
It has designated the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to act as lead environmental regulator for the project at Falmouth Docks, in Cornwall, rather than developers having to consult with a number of different organisations.
The project includes repairing part of the dock to cater for larger vessels and creating a new area for putting together floating offshore wind turbines.
The government said the move would help speed up the process while ensuring the environment was protected. Construction work is expected to begin in 2026 and finish by 2030.
APCL A&P Falmouth, which runs the site, said extending the Queens Wharf would help accommodate bigger cruise ships and cater for 200,000 visitors annually by 2030.
It predicted this would support more than 350 jobs in the tourism sector.
It said it also hoped the improvements would double the docks’ cargo and freight capacity and generate about £13m into the local economy.
Mike Spicer, APCL A&P Falmouth managing director, said: “The acceleration of planning process for development applications like ours will enable us to significantly enhance the services we can offer to our defence, offshore and cruise customers, and help fulfil Cornwall’s ambitious floating offshore wind agenda.”
APCL A&PLabour explained the MMO would liaise with groups including the Environment Agency and Natural England to provide advice and guidance to the developers.
Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “Communities across the country have been let down by a bureaucratic planning system that chokes enterprise, does little for nature and leaves hardworking people waiting for the jobs and investment they deserve.
“Having one clear regulator in charge speeds up approvals and helps projects like Falmouth Docks to progress at pace, without compromising our ironclad commitment to the environment.
“This is a win-win situation for jobs, prosperity and nature.”
Michelle Willis, chief executive of the MMO, said: “We are delighted to be playing a leading part in transforming how we work with industry and key partners to shape a new way of working which unlocks growth and benefits our coastal communities whilst protecting our natural environment.
“This is an exciting project in Falmouth and one that will showcase how future licensing consent regulations can be applied to enable much-needed transformation and change.”
