A £150 million plan to expand Falmouth Docks so larger cruise ships can berth has drawn environmental concerns from critics.
The planning application to Cornwall Council includes demolishing current buildings, building new wharf structures and creating an area for floating wind power activities to modernise the dock infrastructure.
Falmouth already hosts around 40 cruise ships a year, most with a maximum capacity of about 3,500 passengers. The extension would allow ships carrying 5,400 passengers and measuring up to 345 metres to berth in the harbour.
The government says the overhaul could attract up to 200,000 cruise visitors annually by 2030 and inject £13 million into the local economy.
However, concerns about the spread of sediment and toxic substances, plus the threat to marine life, have prompted several objections from locals. As of 19 August, the planning application has received 376 objections.
A community petition has been launched to object to the proposal following resident concerns about the expansion plans and their significant social and environmental impact.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust does not oppose the plans, but it has submitted a holding objection over dredging, marine habitats, wildlife and sediment management under the current proposal.
In October, the government sped up planning approvals, adding that the redevelopment was poised to create hundreds of jobs, support homegrown clean energy and boost economic growth across the south-west.
Dan Barrios-O’Neill, head of marine conservation at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: “We all want a thriving port and strong local economy, but speeding up decisions must not mean weakening environmental safeguards, particularly in an area like the Fal.
“The marine ecosystems here are nationally important, supporting irreplaceable maerl beds, seagrass meadows and extensive areas traditionally fished for Fal oysters.”
The proposal is expected to go before Cornwall Council's Strategic Planning Committee at a meeting on 20 August. If plans are approved by the Marine Management Organisation and Cornwall Council to redevelop Falmouth Docks, new facilities are expected to be operational by 2030.
Falmouth Docks £150m Cruise Expansion Prompts Environmental Concerns