Port Isaac Update

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NO CONSULTATION

The existence of this proposal was only discovered by the local community in February this year, despite Marine Management Organisation approval being granted in August 2023. The Save Port Isaac Bay community campaign in opposition to this proposal, is now very much underway.

In SoB's opinion, there must be something very wrong with the licence process if such an enormous and potentially environmentally damaging development plan can be kept hidden from those most affected by its installation.

LATEST NEWS FROM SAVE PORT ISAAC BAY

The MMO has granted this licence.
In order to turn that decision around, the MMO has to tick its legal boxes (MCAA Section 69 (1) and Section 72 (2&3)) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/23/section/69
Lawyers are working to give us the legal and technical ammunition to hand to the MMO with the aim of giving them grounds to revoke this licence.

Once we have this “ammunition” we want to blast the MMO with letters that include this fact- based evidence. Escalating the complaints procedure to Tier 3 if necessary.
Please take a moment to check the MMO complaints procedure and take a moment to read the unreasonable customer contact section.

By waiting for detailed expert evidence, we are seeking to avoid the MMO simply shutting down our efforts by claiming “Unreasonably persistent or vexatious contact”.

Although it feels wrong, this is why we’re holding back from swamping the MMO with Tier 2 escalation at this stage.

If people haven’t already written a first letter to the MMO and are keen to have their voices heard we are putting some guidance on our website https://saveportisaacbay.co.uk and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/saveportisaacbay to help with this too. And of course, write to Scott Mann, our sitting MP.

Your efforts at fundraising, crowdfunding and offering financial support is crucial to enable us to pay for professional advisors time, possible environmental/marine expert reports and to instruct a barrister.
We would aim to enlist the same team that have worked on Gerrans Bay and Port Quin to build on knowledge and evidence already gathered and keep fees as low as possible.

Trying to put a figure on our target budget is like asking how long is a piece of string. Factors playing into this will include how long the fight goes on for. The Port Quin crowdfunding campaign raised a little over £13,000. We know our fight is going to be even harder than theirs, as we first have to overturn a decision, whereas their application was still open. However many people are generously giving their expertise and help for free.

Crucial and essential work is going on in the background with MPs offices and other key bodies such as DEFRA, Natural England, Cornwall Council etc...and a sub-group are continuing to lobby and hold one-to-one conversations, and are doing fantastic work keeping the pressure on at all levels. If we can compliment this by building our grassroots community we will be giving ourselves the best possible chance to fight this seaweed farm licence.

Thank you.

People living outside North Cornwall can still help the Port Isaac campaign...

1. Please write to your local MP to alert them of your concern about the exploitation of the North Cornwall coast and its communities. Ask your MP to pass your concern on to Steve Barclay MP and DEFRA. They should also speak with Scott Mann, MP for North Cornwall, and Cherilyn Mackrory, MP for Truro and Falmouth, for more details.

1. Read the Port Quin Bay applications, available to download from the Marine Management Organisation’s public register page on their online portal at: https://marinelicensing.marinemanagement.org.uk/mmofox5/fox/live/

Search for case ref: 

MLA/2023/00308 (Biome Algae)

(MLA/2023/00307 (Camel Fish Ltd) is almost identical)

Raise any questions you have with your MP or Save Our Bays.

Thank you

Donate to help the people of Port Isaac overturn the MMO's approval:

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/saveportisaacbay