People living in Portreath have given the "thumbs up" to the idea of taking their harbour into community ownership.
More than 250 people turned up for a consultation day at the Millennium Hall on Saturday, when details of Kerrier Council's proposal to sell off the harbour were on display.
After speaking to representatives of Kerrier's regeneration team, the parish council, and the harbour association, 86 per cent of residents present supported the proposal and said they wanted to see it move on to the next stage.
Chris Watts, chairman of the parish council, said the result was "a very strong mandate" to pursue community ownership.
He said: "We had a very successful consultation day. The questionnaires that people filled out showed 86 per cent support for community ownership, and that is a very strong mandate for Kerrier to take into a feasibility study.
"The parish council can now move forward to the next stage of this project by taking expert advice as to the terms of reference of the feasibility study and finding suitable surveyors to tender for the task."
Kerrier regeneration officer Scott James said the high turnout was a big advantage when applying for grant funding.
"In terms of both the Lottery application and other bids that we've got to put in, we can demonstrate a high level of support, and that's exactly what funders want to see."
Kerrier Council announced last November that it wanted to dispose of Portreath Harbour, because of high maintenance costs. It hoped it could pass into community ownership, and offered £5,000 towards a feasibility study.
In January it was announced that Portreath had been included in a potential £42 million programme of waterfront improvements, along with four other Cornish harbours.
Saturday's consultation day was opened by Julia Goldsworthy MP, one of the village's newest residents.
Mike Clayton, Kerrier's portfolio holder for assets, who also attended, reaffirmed the council's continuing commitment to the project.
Data gathered on the day will be analysed over the coming weeks.
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