Portreath harbour will be a major beneficiary of a £42 million programme of waterfront improvements, if a bid to the Big Lottery's Regional Living Landmarks fund is successful.
Cornwall County Council, acting on behalf of the Cornish Harbours project, has applied for £25 million towards the cost of the five-year project, which would also see major regeneration work at Newlyn, Falmouth, Newquay and Looe.
The aim is to bring disused or run down harbours and neighbouring waterfront locations back into use for the benefit of their communities.
Georgina McLaren, from Cornwall Enterprise, which would administer the project, said: "Cornwall remains one of Europe's most deprived areas, and while much of the rural coastline is in the stewardship of the National Trust, many coastal communities are still struggling to find ways to adjust to the social, economic and environmental challenges they face."
All five locations chosen for the project have been assessed over several years and, although different in character, share common goals.
In all cases their aims include the promotion of community access, active enjoyment, learning, and local enterprise. The harbours would be the focus for regeneration actions and high quality physical improvements.
Just two months ago Kerrier Council announced it wished to dispose of Portreath harbour and expressed a desire to see it pass into community hands. Portreath's inclusion in the Cornish Harbours bid would appear to be perfectly timed and to provide the resources to make it happen.
As a result, the news has been greeted with delight by community groups in the village.
Chris Watts, chairman of the parish council, said: "The parish council, the harbour association and Portreath Improvements Committee are working together on this project and we are delighted to be included in the bid. It's a really strong bid, with a good chance of success, and we're extremely optimistic about the outcome."
If successful, the Cornish Harbours project would run from 2007-12. Portreath harbour would be regenerated and brought in to community ownership; the Edwardian pier at Falmouth would be refurbished and a new marine college built; East Looe would get a new promenade on its sea front; Newquay would get a new events area and seafront pathway; and there would be a new multi-use fish market building at Newlyn.
Mevagissey, Porthleven and Hayle have been put on standby for the scheme, although the latter is expected to be the subject of a separate bid led by its private sector owners and supported by Penwith District Council.
There is a consultation day about the future of the harbour at Portreath in the Millennium Hall on January 28 from 11am to 4pm.
E-mail: julianr@c-dm.co.uk
