Cornwall's leading cruise ship destination could be completely transformed by the largest large-scale investment in 70 years.
The Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company (FDEC) has submitted a planning application to Cornwall Council and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for a major overhaul of the town's docks.
If given the green light, the project will involve the demolition of some existing on-site buildings and partial dismantling of current wharf structures. Not only will new wharf structures be constructed, but also a dedicated area for the assembly of floating wind power structures, which would then be towed out into the Celtic Sea.
This is part of an associated initiative with the high-tech marine renewable energy industry.
The ambitious £150m proposal includes extending the existing Queens Wharf westwards. This expansion aims to increase the length of operational deck available, allowing larger vessels to berth along the Queen's Wharf.
It would accommodate Excellence Class cruise ships measuring up to 345m (1,161ft) in length, 42m (138ft) in width, and with an 8.5m (28ft) draught, reports .
A new proposal for a Floating Offshore Wind Energy (FLOW) deck on the western edge of a site aims to establish an area suitable for assembling FLOW devices, enhancing support for the marine and renewable energy sector.
The proposed scheme incorporates 'spot dredging', permitting ships to access the new facilities but notably excludes dredging of the channel off Falmouth, which has historically sparked controversy in the seaside town.
The FDEC, in its application, said: "This would future-proof and provide efficiency to dock operations, ensuring the long-term viability and significance of Falmouth Dock and the industries and employment it supports."
The company, part of A&P Falmouth, which owns the docks and manages a thriving marine repair business, including contracts with the Royal Navy, said the work is needed as some of the existing structures at the docks are old and decrepit and are in urgent need of an overhaul.
The planned development would allow Falmouth Docks to increase its berth capacity, accommodating more and bigger cruise ships simultaneously—addressing the present need to either queue in the bay or avoid Falmouth due to insufficient docking facilities.
It is claimed the proposed expansion of cruise ship capacity in the town could attract up to 200,000 visitors annually by 2030, potentially injecting an additional £13m into the local economy and supporting over 350 jobs.
The application states: "The potential to achieve this growth in passenger volume is dependent on the redevelopment plans at Falmouth."
The new docks would also double cargo and freight capacity in Falmouth, positioning the town and Cornwall at the forefront of the FLOW (Floating Offshore Wind) market.
According to the application, the sector could generate more than 2,000 jobs across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ and contribute £45m to the economy, with Falmouth's new docks poised to secure a significant portion of this growth.
The planned FLOW deck would span approximately 290m in length and 30m in width, accommodating two FLOW devices simultaneously; one west of the FLOW deck and another north of Duchy Wharf. During the construction phase, slated for 2026-2027, there may be up to 100 construction workers on-site each day.
The application added: "The key economic and social drivers of the project are to ensure the long-term viability, safety and efficiency of operations at Falmouth Docks, alongside promoting the growth and diversification of the activities supported by the dock.
"By increasing the dock's capacity to accommodate cruise, the proposed development supports the local and regional tourism industry and economic growth of Falmouth (and Cornwall more widely).
"Furthermore, the design of Western Wharf ensures that access to the dry docks immediately east of the proposed development, which are used for ship repair, is maintained. Consequently, the proposed development is anticipated to both maintain existing employment and skills at the dock and create new employment opportunities."
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