Decision on Porthleven Shipyard performance centre and GP surgery

Work can now get underway on demolishing a section of industrial buildings on the shipyard and converting another, to create a performance space and three-storey building with a new medical centre on the ground floor and four residential apartments on the first and second floors.

The metal works performance building will be positioned centrally on the site and immediately to the north of Celtic House, to house a multi-use auditorium for film and event screenings, entrance foyer and café/bar.

The courtyard between the performing art venue on the left and the back of the Innovation Building

However, Trevor Osborne, whose company Porthleven Harbour and Dock Company had asked for planning permission to complete the project, has revealed he is not to content to stop there and will now be looking to also get permission for his original ambition of lobster hatchery.

Initial plans had also included a south coast base for the National Lobster Hatchery at Padstow, which is looking to open a second venue on the south coast and develop its environmental programme, introducing 20,000 baby lobsters into the sea off Porthleven each year.

This was removed from the application now approved, with Historic England previously raising concerns about the design of the hatchery, which was to replicate the circular Innovation Building that is also to be built on the site.

The organisation said that it introduced a "degree of repetition and symmetry that does not reflect the character of Porthleven as a rule."

But Mr Osborne said last month: "Alongside economic benefits for the community, the hatchery would be an example of marine conversation in action, offering education and research opportunities and significant benefits to the community."

He has now told the Packet that he intends to keep looking for ways to get permission for this also.

Mr Osborne said on Tuesday: "I am delighted that the planning application was unanimously approved, although sorry that this was for the amended application without the lobster hatchery.

"This is a particular disappointment as there is so much local support for the lobster hatchery, and we will be looking at other opportunities to incorporate this early in the New Year."

Mr Osborne had to wait a month to hear the decision after it was deferred for clarification over a part of the site said to have multiple ownership.

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However, members of the area's planning committee at Cornwall Council were happy that it had been resolved when they met again on Monday and voted the plans through unanimously.

New vehicle access for the site will now come from Methleigh Bottoms, with the remainder of the site laid out to hard area and green area open spaces, vehicle parking and boat storage.

A new vehicle and pedestrian bridge is proposed to cross the stream in the north east corner of the site, with access to further car parking and a net drying area on land beyond.

The existing industrial tenants on site are being re-located to purpose built premises in Tolponds Road.

A sketch of the proposed entrance to the event space. Picture: Burrell Foley Fischer Architects

Alison Butterill, managing partner at Helston Medical Centre and its sister practice Porthleven Surgery, said discussions over the proposed new medical centre remained in the early stages and would still involve consultation with patients.

She told the Packet: "Last year we had some early discussions with the Harbour & Dock Company. However this has not moved any further forward, partly due to the pandemic.

"A new surgery would involve a formal process involving Kernow Clinical Commisioning Group, NHS England & NHS Improvement, and of course talking and asking the views of the people who use our surgery to make sure any move is of benefit to the service and the care they receive.

"This would be required before any agreement to move to a new site could be considered."