The residents of a picturesque stretch of Cornwall's coastline, made globally famous by the TV series Doc Martin, are gearing up for a fresh battle against a major industrial development they fear will blight their unspoiled landscape.
From Quiet Approval to Vocal Opposition
Plans for a vast industrial seaweed farm, covering an area comparable to the London Olympic Park near Port Quin, were initially on the verge of being approved without local objection. The scheme was discovered almost by chance, prompting an immediate and fierce campaign from the community. This was compounded by the revelation that a similar project further along the coast had already gained approval before most locals were aware.
The primary fear is the impact on a region that depends heavily on tourism, attracting up to 500,000 visitors per day during the peak summer months. Many believe the offshore development would harm the natural beauty that draws holidaymakers and devastate local businesses.
A Short-Lived Victory and a New Appeal
In April, campaigners celebrated what they believed was a decisive victory. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) refused the application outright, citing concerns it could cause significant harm to the environment, the coastal landscape, and local fishing. The report concluded the proposal "currently represent[ed] unacceptable risk to existing users of the sea."
The refusal was backed by high-profile figures including Doc Martin star Martin Clunes and actor Andrew Lincoln. Clunes lambasted the plan as "hideous" and "nothing short of criminal," while Lincoln criticised it as "dreadful" and disingenuously disguised as an environmental benefit.
However, the joy was short-lived. One of the applicants, Camel Fish Ltd, has now launched an appeal, arguing it was not given a fair chance to present its case. A hearing is scheduled for January, and residents have already raised over £5,000 through a Crowdfunder to hire a barrister.
Deep-Rooted Community and Business Concerns
Local opposition runs deep and unites lifelong residents, retirees, and business owners. Barnaby Kay, who leads the campaign, said the community was "absolutely devastated" by the appeal. "We wholeheartedly support the development of the seaweed cultivation industry in the UK, but not this applicant, with this proposal, in this location," he stated.
Business owners echo the sentiment. Mark Graham, who has run North Coast Wetsuits for 21 years, warned that the farm could destroy the area's appeal. "Doc Martin brought a whole new generation of people to this bay but without the natural beauty, what are they coming for?" he asked. Avril Greenway of the Cleaner Seas Project argued any environmental benefit would be offset by the extra travel miles required.
In previous statements, the applicants, Biome Algae and Camel Fish, have defended their plans as responsible and beneficial, claiming sustainable seaweed farming can restore marine environments and boost the local economy with jobs and educational opportunities.
The community now faces an anxious wait until the January appeal hearing, determined to continue their fight to protect the iconic landscape from what they see as an industrial intrusion.
