The new scene follows the establishment of the Unitary Cornwall Council in April and the replacement of Kerrier with a new organisation called West 2, whose Planners are the same officers, working in the same way as they did previously, but with a democratic deficit, insofar as the Officers are delegated to decide 90% of Applications without the need to inform the Public of their existence. Further, the Planning Committee of Councillors to decide the other ‘major’ items has been composed of twelve persons – six each from West 1 (aka Penwith District Council) and West 2 to deal with plans from Mawnan Smith to St. Just, which means a shortage of local knowledge.

WEBSITE:  Continuing thanks to Jeff Meadows, it can be visited at www.helfordriver.org. There are also other websites of the River, wellworth visiting for their views and information. In particular, that of www.Preserve Port Navas Quay has raised some adverse comments as to the readability and interest of our own site. It has made us consider what improvements can be made to put our position over to the world at large. Any that members can suggest are welcome. Charles Pugh (340630) is contact for this project.

Sadly, the OYSTERAGE at Port Navas continues to divide the inhabitants,and, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the quay is a major area of contention and the placing of production cages in the main River is another.The latter is the subject of a decision by the Marine Fisheries Agency. Conciliation seems the way forward in order that both sides can prosper. The refurbishment of the three seats on the quay, placed there in 1960 by the village and the positive help with the Regatta shows the Oysterage in a good light.

The CPRE has written to the Duchy about its part in maintaining the environment of the Helford but received a negative reply, which has become standard practice for them. The AONB unit of the Council also tends to concern itself with theory rather than practice, so has not been of much use to us.

For the improvement of ANNA MARIA CREEK, we have now got the Local Government Ombudsman to press the Cornwall Council to deal with the inaction of the previous Kerrier Council in the removal of unauthorised living. Since the same people are still dealing with the matter, we fear the outcome will not be speedily dealt with.

This Complaint is still supported by the Mawnan Parish Council.We are grateful to Stuart Powell (250481) for dealing with this seemingly intractable problem.

We continue to monitor PLANNING APPLICATIONS around the River. Few of major concern have arisen but we are pleased that a renewed Plan at Bosulla in Budock Vean Lane, previously refused on Appeal despite being approved by the Officers but objected to by us, has resulted in a scheme along the lines which we suggested.

A Plan to close the Shipwrights Arms at Helford has met strong objection and is still to be resolved. Conversly, the closure of the Ferry Boat Inn saw it reopened under new management by Ben Wright (with a distinct emphasis on oysters).

The Permission by the departed Kerrier for a Fishermen’s quay and access at Helford village was quashed by a Judicial review but allows Cornwall Council to renew the Application if the matter of Natural England’s permission can be resolved. This is under review.

The GWEEK BOATYARD Enforcement Order is still under Appeal but has to be resolved by the end of the year. We await action.

The RIVER WARDEN Service has started under the control of the Truro Harbour Board and we will have a sight of the log in the autumn.

Robert Williams Chairman Tel 340382 or robert.williams200@virgin.net or Polwheveral Cottage, Constantine, FALMOUTH TR11 5RW

Port Navas Regatta 2009

1st August 2009:

The morning dawned wet and miserable but almost on the dot of 12 o’clock, the clouds parted, the sun shone and the popular Port Navas Regatta had record attendance this year.

…more at portnavas.net

Thanks to Jeff Meadows, the WEBSITE is now running and can be visited at www.helfordriver.org. There are also other websites of the River, well worth visiting for the views and information.  Charles Pugh (340630) is our lead for this project.

The threat of a MUSSEL farm in the entrance to the River has, as a consequence of protests, gone, perhaps to Porthallow, in Falmouth Bay.

Sadly, the OYSTERAGE at Port Navas continues to divide the inhabitants, and, in an Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB), has a quay in some disarray, and trouble with metalwork in the main River. Conciliation seems the way forward in order that both sides can prosper.   Ben Wright posted a robust defence of the Oysterage position on the Port Navas website in the spring and has followed this with an update dated July 2008.

For the improvement of ANNA MARIA CREEK, we have now made a Formal Written Complaint to Kerrier on their inaction over the removal of unauthorised settlement, namely the ‘red bus’, to kick them into doing their duty.   This Complaint is not only supported by the Mawnan Parish Counci but the Council have co-signed the Complaint. We are grateful to Stuart Powell (250481) for dealing with this seemingly intractable problem.

We have also had a number of PLANNING APPLICATIONS by new owners to increase substantially their houses in Port Navas Creek, which is in an AONB. This has undesirable social effects if the owners are not resident and adversely deteriorates the natural environment, as the area becomes more built up.   Kerrier have supported our objections (in some degree), but with wealth against them, have faced Appeals or their threat, which could be costly if allowed. Principles can have their price which has to be paid sometimes. In the case of Tideway (PA07/00898/F), their Appeal has been allowed, but their costs have been denied ; interesting.

We have also used the new system of being allowed to speak directly (for a maximum of three minutes only) to the Planning Committee on Applications.   Though minimal, this does emphasize our concerns.

The current Marine Bill, some 600 pages long, has raised concern at obscurely placed provisions to allow Natural England to substantially increase access to the coast and inlets which might affect the Helford. This has been mentioned to our MPs.

Robert Williams Chairman

This year Kerrier is seeking to outsource the provision of this (and other ‘beach services’)  and has negotiated with the RNLI to carry out the functions of the Warden Service.    It is unclear at the start of summer exactly how this is to be undertaken, but the RNLI has agreed to provide a similar level of cover as has been provided by Kerrier Leisure Services.   The HRA is in contact with the RNLI and hopes to be kept informed as to what exact form the new delivery of the service will take.   As well as the general operation of the service the question of how – and indeed if – legal enforcement of the Statutory By-Laws (speed limits) can be carried out  by the RNLI is a matter of interest to the River community and remains a ‘grey area’.

As a matter of interest, the Helford is nearly unique among waterways in the UK in having no statutory body such as  port or harbour authority operating to regulate affairs on the River.

POSTSCRIPT DECEMBER 2008

As events turned out, the RNLI subcontracted the Warden service to the Falmouth Port Authority – who in turn re-employed the original Kerrier warden using the original Kerrier boat.  The service operated for only the latter part of the season.   The Harbourmaster has indicated that a fuller service is likely to be operated in 2009 under his auspices and the HRA is attempting to liaise to ensure that an effective Warden service does in fact operate.   However, there are doubts as to whether any more substantial enforcement of the by-laws can be expected other than by giving the warden a more visible and perhaps a rather  more official looking appearance.

After much further deliberation, the applicant has decided to relocate his proposal to a site outside the Helford (in Porthallow Bay).  The HRA having been involved in the early discussions and having received a number of expressions of concern, now no longer has any interest in the matter as it lies outside the terms of reference of the Association being beyond the river boundaries.