We reported in May that the company which owns and runs Porthleven harbour had applied for pre-application advice from Cornwall Council to introduce parking charges.
Porthleven Harbour and Dock Company has now submitted a full planning application to install a pay and display parking machine and associated signage so that visitors to the harbour have to pay if they park along Commercial Road.
A supporting statement says: "The proposal does not seek to create additional parking spaces, alter the existing parking arrangements or undertake physical alterations to the highway. Rather, it seeks to introduce a managed charging arrangement for the existing parking provision through the installation of a pay and display machine and limited associated signage.
"Parking along Commercial Road has historically been provided free of charge. However, the harbour is an important and well-used destination for residents, businesses and visitors, and its continued management and maintenance places ongoing demands upon the applicant.
"The introduction of paid parking will provide a sustainable income stream to contribute towards the maintenance, management and enhancement of the harbour and its public areas, helping to ensure that they remain safe, accessible and attractive."
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The application says that a managed parking arrangement will also encourage greater turnover of spaces, improving opportunities for visitors to access the harbour and surrounding businesses and helping to prevent prolonged occupation of the limited parking available.
"Importantly, the proposal represents a very limited physical intervention," adds the statement. "No equipment or signage is proposed to be fixed to or otherwise physically affect the Grade II listed harbour walls, east and west wharfs, inner jetties or main pier.
"The pay and display machine will instead be positioned on the applicant's land away from the listed harbour structure, while associated signage will be kept to the minimum necessary and, wherever practicable, utilise existing posts and infrastructure."
As a result of pre-application discussions, the location of the pay and display machine has been amended. The council advised that a location adjacent to the east wharf would have an inappropriate relationship with the listed harbour structure. An alternative and more discreet location was therefore agreed adjacent to the south side of the Albatross Gallery, set back from the listed harbour and positioned between unlisted buildings.
The council considered that this location would "substantially reduce the perceived effect of the installation upon designated heritage assets and their setting".
For more details see planning application PA26/05941.
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Porthleven Harbour Parking Charges Move Forward