Cornwall Wildlife Trust has raised the alarm over the government’s decision to “fast-track” the £150 million Falmouth Docks redevelopment, warning that the new accelerated planning model must not come at the expense of Cornwall’s fragile marine environment, or local livelihoods.  

The Trust has issued a Holding Objection to the proposal, citing concerns about the contaminated sediments exposed through dredge operations, underwater noise impacts on marine mammals, and threats to the many protected species and habitats in the Fal and Helford Special Area of Conservation. 

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.” 

Local fishers have echoed fears that dredging and sediment plumes could disrupt traditional trawling and oyster grounds, threatening local livelihoods as well as ecosystems. 

Peter Green, who has fished locally from St Mawes for over 50 years, recalls the negative impact previous dredging operations in Penryn had, stating that the current proposals involve “a greater quantity of sediment with higher toxicity” and that the development “could be a disaster about to unfold… A gamble which could affect all marine life in our local areas.” 

Nick West, Chairman of the Mevagissey Fisherman’s Association, said:

“The whole of Falmouth Bay is of vital importance to inshore vessels” noting that “The dumping of waste material from Falmouth Docks development could be catastrophic” particularly as the area is so important for bottom dwelling species. 

Ned Bailey, a local lobster, crab and prawn fisher said:

“I have grave concerns about the potential damage to the unique Fal Estuary if the harbour dredging process is rushed and not to the highest environmental standards”. He also highlighted potential impacts on sustainable scallop potting, noting that “any accidents would also probably kill demand for scallops from the emerging low impact pot caught scallop fishery”. 

Cornwall Wildlife Trust has also voiced concerns about the government’s rushed Planning and Infrastructure Bill, and what it views as wider moves to undermine hard-won environmental safeguards.  

The new “Lead Environmental Regulator” model places a single regulator in charge of coordinating approvals, raising questions about regulator independence. Disagreements between regulators will now be escalated to Defra’s new Infrastructure Board and, ultimately, to ministers to “unblock” problems. Cornwall Wildlife Trust believes that experts in regulator area teams will always be better placed to make critical decisions relating to development impacts on our local marine environment than distant boards and ministers.  

Cornwall Wildlife Trust is calling for: 

• Full disclosure of the Defra Infrastructure Board’s makeup, role, and ultimate decision-making powers 

• Independent monitoring of dredging, sediment disposal on land, and mitigation of noise impacts on marine wildlife throughout construction. 

• A full appraisal of the potential impacts of this development on local fishing grounds.