Falmouth Docks Redevelopment

The proposed redevelopment has been described as the largest in Falmouth in 80 years. Plans include extensive dredging, construction and waste disposal. The development aims to increase both the number and size of cruise ships, as well as increasing military and industrial use. It may also allow the storage and assembly of offshore wind turbines.

However, the development is expected to cause sediment and toxic substances to spread. This threatens fisheries and sea life, including rare maerl and seagrass habitats, and marine mammals.

Take Action

Learn more about the plans via the info and links on this site, and consider taking action:

In a hurry?

See the community petition objecting to the current plans

View the Petition

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Hear about open meetings and major updates on the Docks

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Share concerns with the planning portal and your Councillor

Have your say

Find out more

If you want to learn more about the plans to redevelop Falmouth Docks, checkout these links:

The full planning application and residents' comments can be viewed through the planning portal at Cornwall Council (PA25/01598).

Have your say

We think that these plans will transform our town, and people have a right to know about them.

If, having read through the links on this website, you object to the plans, please comment on the planning portal and write to Cornwall Council ASAP to express your views.

You can find your councillor's details here and ask that your concerns are considered by the planning committee:

Key points and suggestions

  • The risk to marine life due to the spreading of sediment is too high
    • This threatens rare habitats such as maerl and seagrass, sustainable and natural fisheries, and marine mammals.
    • Sediment contains toxic substances, including biocides (TBT) and carcinogens (PAHs and PCBs).
    • Issues may be caused by dredging, construction work, and dumping waste at sea.
    • Could dredging be avoided by keeping larger cruise ships out at sea and ferrying passengers in?
  • Firmer commitments for environmental monitoring and mitigations during construction.
    • Curtains should be used to minimise sediment spread from construction and dredging work.
    • Levels of sediment and toxic substances should be continuously measured throughout the areas where sediment will spread, and works stopped immediately if these exceed safe thresholds.
    • The impacts on sea life should be continuously monitored.
      • Construction works should be stopped if sea life deteriorates.
      • Fair compensation should be provided for deterioration of sea life due to the works and subsequent activities.
    • Air pollution impacts of construction traffic should be monitored and fair compensation provided.
  • Firmer commitments for environmental monitoring and mitigations of future activities.
    • The proposal includes ambitions to massively expand cruise ship numbers to 200,000 passengers a year (from 55,000 passengers in 2025), and to grow maintenance and repair capabilities (e.g. for military contracts), and cargo business.
      • There should be monitoring of the sources of pollution caused by this: air pollution, sewage, waste, toxic substances, noise and light.
      • This includes the on-land pollution due to cruise passenger tourists, e.g., from coach travel.
      • The negative impacts of this pollution should be evaluated and compensation provided.
    • Floating Offshore Wind can have environmental benefits if combined with a reduction in less environmentally friendly energy generation.
      • There should be more evaluation of which Floating Offshore Wind activities are most appropriate for Falmouth Docks, and these activities should be prioritised.
      • Preparing Falmouth Docks for Floating Offshore Wind should not be dependent on expanding cruise ship or other industrial capacity.
  • There has been inadequate consultation with local residents for a development of this size.
  • The traffic impacts are overbearing:
    • Construction traffic transporting materials to the docks and waste from the docks.
    • Cruise passenger traffic for day-trips (coaches, shuttle buses, taxis).
    • Limits should be set on the volume of traffic, and compensation provided for congestion impacting on residents and discouraging visitors.
  • The negative impacts on local peoples' health and livelihoods should be minimised, with fair compensation provided. Impacts may be due to:
    • air and sea pollution
    • economic disruption
    • change in cultural heritage.
  • There should be an independent economic impact assessment.
    • The current assessment uses figures from the cruise industry; scientific studies have shown these to routinely overestimate local economic benefits.
  • Negative economic impacts on fishing and tourism should be monitored and fair compensation provided.
  • The quality of jobs supported should be evaluated and minimum standards should be raised.
    • Will jobs be seasonal or year-round?
    • Will they be for local residents?
    • What will the working conditions be like?

Your comments may have greatest impact if you relate these to the relevant considerations described in the table in Cornwall Council's guidance.

Because some of the proposed construction work and waste disposal is at sea, some responsibility for the decision rests with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) - a UK public body. You can ask Cornwall Council to work with the MMO to address your concerns.