A “Noddy train” around Falmouth’s Pendennis headland, anyone? Or perhaps a dry ski slope behind Ponsharden . . . or even a leisure lake created by a dam across Penryn River?
Well, there’s been no shortage of imaginative schemes for the area down the decades. The above are just three of a great many that came my way during my Falmouth Packet reporting days.
Just a pity, perhaps, that so many of them never got beyond the dream stage. Maybe a fresh focus on some of these might yet trigger a “new” idea or two that could be worth pursuing now?
One of the biggest What-Ifs of them all was the mother and father of a blueprint for future development produced by a collection of top brains from the two towns.
Those brains belonged to the bosses of 21 big local firms who had first got together in 1981 – as the Falmouth 81 Group.
They were the likes of Harry Robinson (E Thomas Construction), Patrick Bray, (Cygnus Marine), Philip Fox (G C Fox & Co), Dennis Pascoe (Falmouth Docks) and Michael Ludlow (Devenish Redruth Brewery).
One of their most eye-catching proposals was the creation of a “leisure lake” by building a dam with tidal lock across Penryn River, upstream of the existing marina.
This would have provided permanent usable shallow water over the whole area - up to Penryn Quay – replacing the eyesore expanse of mud and silt at lower tide. The lake would have facilitated a variety of water sports, including rowing, dinghy training, windsurfing and angling.
Wherever possible, the blueprint urged, industrial installations along the riverside should be progressively re-sited inland, being replaced by accommodation, parking, picnic areas, dinghy parks and marine supply sales and repairs.
Among other original ideas, the group proposed a dry ski slope on the high ground behind Ponsharden, along with a road/rail access terminal to the north of Falmouth Cricket Club, at the intersection of the railway line with a proposed new road link to the old A39.
The group observed that for the previous 50 years Falmouth and Penryn had been at a virtual standstill in development terms.
“For instance,” the report reflected, “no major road improvement has taken place since 1922 – when Falmouth’s Dracaena Avenue was excavated by hand and the earth removed by horse and cart.”
Around that time – the early 1980s and ell before the Peter de Savary storm finally got a few things moving – there was also no shortage of suggestions in the readers’ letters pages of the Packet.
One of them, Mr P N Sills, of Bournemouth, went to considerable lengths to outline his own vision for a future Falmouth.
“One must regret that the 1960s scheme for a harbour road was not talked through,” he wrote, “although Mr Walker, who vetoed the plans, was perhaps not enthused with shops on stilts.
“In my opinion, a harbour road, with associated parking, is all that is needed. At no cost, perhaps a Butlins team could generrate income, similar to schemes masterminded for Woburn Abbey.
“And why should thousands drive around Pendennis Point free and gratis? Ban all cars, run a season “Noddy Train” service, possibly Prince of Wales Pier-Pendennis-Gyllyngvase.”
Back in town, Mr Sills suggested, a new three-tiered restaurant on the vacant site above the New Street car park, under council ownership, would allow both residents and visitors to enjoy the spectacular views for all time.
A small nine-hole par 3 with a driving range would, he added, be “real holiday fun. £3 a round would suit locals as well.
“ . . . A harbour road would really enhance the waterfront. One has visions of an annual procession of illuminated and decorated boats to celebrate the end of the season, and water taxis could ply to Truro following the dredging of the Fal.
“My local beaches have been transformed following the dredging of Poole harbour.”
Ah now . . . Falmouth dredging? Is that something that might yet be resurrected, I wonder? https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/16175908.falmouth-dredgings-final-death-throes/
That concept, or at least its last incarnation, was on the go for nigh on 20 years, with a port master plan hailing huge potential for Falmouth as the “gateway to Cornwall,” along with millions of pounds in revenue and hundreds of new jobs.
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