Plymouth should build cruise liner berth and make most of waterfront, say experts
PLYMOUTH needs to make better use of its waterfront, including laying on facilities for cruise liners, say maritime experts.
Nearly one worker in five in the city is directly or indirectly employed in the marine sector, according to the first 'holistic' study of the four ports that make up Plymouth — Devonport, Millbay, Sutton Harbour and the Cattewater.
With many higher-paid jobs in marine industries, the sector contributes a quarter of the city's economy, an in-depth study by consultants Atkins Ltd found.
The study, the first of its kind to bring together all 29 marine sector 'stakeholders', is the first step towards producing a masterplan for the Port of Plymouth.
It was commissioned by Plymouth City Council last November.
Kaja Curry, coastal planning co-ordinator at the council, told councillors that work was going on to assess whether a cruise liner facility was feasible.
Councillor Ted Fry, the city's Cabinet member for planning and economic development, said the trend towards small cruise liners could benefit Plymouth.
Members of the council's growth and prosperity overview and scrutiny panel were told that nearly 60,000 vessel movements, not counting ordinary recreational boating, had been recorded in 2009.
The Royal Navy and the defence contractors Serco Marine Services between them accounted for 75 per cent of those, with tour boats and ferries responsible for another 20 per cent.
The number of commercial ship arrivals was relatively stable, reaching a peak of 1,262 in 2003. Ms Curry said tankers made up the bulk of the commercial traffic: "If you put fuel into your car anywhere between Falmouth and Exeter, it will have come through Plymouth", she said.
Panel chairman Councillor Patrick Nicholson called for a review of housing policies in the light of the report, and amid concerns that too much potential employment land was being sold for housing.
Ms Curry assured councillors worried about the future of Devonport that the Naval Base represented 'such a range of defence activities that the MoD will not be able to simply turn the tap off'.
The experts, companies and agencies consulted during the study came up with five possible scenarios for the future of the port.
'Business as usual' and radical restructuring are considered but discounted.
Instead the report suggests either 'targeted diversification' or a 'major step change', with re-use of Devonport land and waterfront.
Under the first option the ports would aim to diversify into the renewable energy sector and build a new cruise liner facility.
This would require some release of land from Devonport and investment in port facilities.
The more ambitious goal would see Plymouth aggressively expanding commercial and leisure activities.
This could include building a container facility, increasing the size of bulk cargo vessels using the ports and developing a cruise liner facility, a new marina and leisure facilities.
Comment — Page 10
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by chris.t., plymouth
Thursday, July 15 2010, 10:37AM
“Big ships equals big money equals JOBS!
If these ships were to berth here then the passengers coming ashore will spend money and any investor will want to capitalise on this market hence more shops, businesses and jobs.
Lets not knock this idea into touch suppport it and hopefully Plymouth will one day become an even greater attraction than it already is.”
by lifelong resident, plymouth
Thursday, July 15 2010, 8:25AM
“could have had hms plymouth...didn`t bother.
could have had an aircraft carrier...didn`t bother.
could have a replica of the mayflower...can`t be bothered.
in fact we haven`t even got a boating lake to row our boats or sail our model ships on...& plymouth is supposed to be a maritime city. i love living here, have done so all my life, but it is so frustrating to constantly watch the council, etc, failing to make the most of what we have...”
by GOM, Plymouth
Thursday, July 15 2010, 5:43AM
“Plymouth is a unique city with phenominal potential to be a world wide and national tourist destination, which coud bring wealth and jobs.
Most of the posts on here have already outlined what is needed: maritime museum, revamped and repaired foreshore etc. All of which needs to be done to add to the city's beautiful and totally unique natural location.
If only we could get rid of the unusually high number of chavs and scrotes that clutter the place though.”
by hutan, Thailand
Thursday, July 15 2010, 4:27AM
“They could put on special shows onshore for the cruise liner passengers; for example the passengers might like to watch winos having intercourse on the steps of a church in Mutley! Then their visit to Plymouth will have been stamped forever in their minds.”
by Jack Ringer, Plymouth Town Crier
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 10:54PM
“Nothing to do in Plymouth?
Gordon Bennett - we have so much here
Go away for 23 years and come back - I did. We are pipped at the post by Bath and San Francisco but that's OK. Bath doesn't have the sea. Plymouth could so easily be a San Francisco style destination. I lived there for 15 years and always thought if only .... Plymouth.
Plymouth is pretty nice and there is a lot to do. Loads of nice restaurants and a lot of new, fresh ideas coming soon.
Let's all cheer up and carry on
I'm ringing my bell in joy
Jack (Innit!)”
by Britain ruined by Bliar and Brooon, plymouth UK
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 10:35PM
“Excellent perspective from 42,Cornwall.”
by Britain ruined by Bliar and Brooon, Plymouth
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 10:24PM
“While Plymouth has jobsworth CEO Barry Blah Blah and the Pengelly penguin.....
you might as well try to put a cruise liner berth on Jupiter or Mars.”
by melchard, Plymouth
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 8:55PM
“Yawn..another multi million pound dream. Heard it all before.”
by mark, Plymouth
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 6:56PM
“Lets spend some money on the Waterfront and make Plymouth worth visiting.
Surely some money can be got out of the developers building more expensive flats towards something other than speedbumps
All the money on fancy advertising, development companies, consultants and websites is pointless if those that get convinced to visit then go away and tell all their friends not to bother.
I have been asked a number of times whilst on the Barbician by American vistors where the Mayflower steps etc are and it is so embarrassing to have to point them in the direction of the threadbare, ripped and tatty American flag, normally accompanied with the words "i am afraid thats it"”
by Salty Sea Dog, Down the docks.
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 6:29PM
“Isn't this one of the suggestions for the plan for Millbay ?
For just once when something in Plymouth actually started to happen (clearing of the area and building Cargo and other housing), jsut for once Plymouth started to move forward, then we were hit by the world wide recession. So for once Plymouth wasn't actually to blame for the lack of plans happening.
It is completely shameful and embarrassing that Plymouth hasn't made the most out of its waterfront in the last 20 30 years. We should be "updating" stuff now not starting from scratch. A birth not only becomes a gateway into the city for vital money to be spent in the local shops cafes etc but the sight of large cruise ships becomes an attraction in itself.
I will come back in 20 years and see what has happened !”