As reported in The Cornishman/West Briton Thursday, November 15, 2012

ING told to get a move on with consulting the public over footbridge and land ownership

Thursday, November 15, 2012

West Briton

PEOPLE of Hayle are set to be asked their opinions on plans to build a new footbridge and over the transfer of land into community ownership.

Hayle harbour owner ING is first likely to consult on the position and type of bridge linking either South Quay to East Quay or South Quay to Penpol Terrace.

ING Red's UK acquisitions director Simon Clarke said: "There are three or four options that we could pursue for a bridge.

"I am in the process of preparing presentation boards for the bridge and we have had some initial consultation meetings."

People will be asked what location is most suitable for the footbridge and whether it should be fixed or have a lifting section.

Mr Clarke said the Dutch firm was being flexible with Cornwall Council, which could hold the funding if it decided to pursue a more ambitious project.

At a recent town council meeting, Councillor John Bennett said: "We are a bit concerned about the two consultations that (need to be done) under the Section 106 (planning agreement). I would like to make a proposal that this council urges ING to get a move on with the consultations.

"I also don't want us to get into a position where we get to the last three months and we have a very brief process put on us. I think we need more details on what they want to do."

Councillors resolved to urge ING to conduct a public consultation regarding bridge design and community land transfer and supply details of the consultation process as soon as possible.

But Mr Clarke said the consultations were in hand, although the second – involving the community land transfer and transfer of the harbour management to a community body – was more complicated.

In August last year ING said it would transfer a hefty list of assets back into the ownership of the town.

The company proposed gifting its property to a new community trust and setting up a ground rent scheme across its outline masterplan to help self-fund the running and maintenance of the harbour in the future.

It will now offer a number of options for who should manage the port, likely to include setting up a Community Interest Company or creating a municipal port, which would transfer ownership to Cornwall Council.

Mr Clarke said: "That is a lot more involved (for this consultation). We have had some preliminary meetings but if I can get it going just before Christmas I will. It is a major piece of work and it is something we are going to be very open on."