£150m overhaul of docks is planned

THE biggest investment in 70 years could transform Cornwall's premier cruise ship destination, according to a newly filed planning application.

- by OLIVIER VERGNAULT

The Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company (FDEC) has filed an application with Cornwall Council and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to demolish some buildings, partly remove wharf structures and construct new wharves.

The plans also include an area where floating wind power structures could be built, prior to being towed out into the Celtic Sea for installation.

The £150 million plan proposes to extend Queen's Wharf westwards which, the application says, would allow it to accommodate Carnival Cruise Lines' Excellence-class ships, which are up to 1,100ft in length.

The proposals would involve what is known as spot-dredging to create a sufficient depth of water to allow ships to tie up to the new wharves.

It would not, however, involve dredging of the harbour's main channel, which has been a contentious issue in the town for many years.