Developers behind North Cornwall seaweed farm proposals to meet with concerned locals
A public meeting about the plans has been called on Tuesday 27 February
The developers behind proposals for a seaweed farm off of the North Cornwall coast will meet with campaigners and residents opposed to the plans.
Pirate FM has seen an invitation to a public meeting about the proposals at Port Quin Bay.
The meeting will take place at 6pm on Tuesday 27 February at the St. Minver Percival Institute in Wadebridge.
Representatives from Biome Algae and Camelfish, who have jointly submitted the application, will be attending.
They will be discussing, and taking questions, about the plans for two 50-hectare farms located 500m from the bay.
Port Quin Bay, in Port Isaac, is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
'We've got too many questions'
Barnaby Kay, who's campaigning against the proposals, said the meeting will be a good opportunity to listen to both developers.
"We want to understand how it's going to benefit the local community," he said, "cause that is a claim in the applications and we're struggling to see quite how our particular community is going to benefit."
"The first thing I want to know is what the motivation is, because from what we read, and what we research, we're just not completely clear what the direction is."
Mr Kay added that many campaigners are not totally against seaweed farms, but had issue with this particular location.
"One of our other questions would be would it not be better positioned further out to see, further off shore."
"We're fighting for the marine environment, and we're fighting for what, in my opinion, is one of the most iconically beautiful views in the world."
Mr Kay and fellow campaigners had previously announced a separate public meeting about the proposals on Friday 1 March.
Michael Truelove, a local conservationist and fisherman, said that the meeting was essential.
"Most of this, as far as the application has been concerned, has gone under the radar."
"It give us a chance to express our opinions as many of us have different opinions and objections."
Mr Truelove also admitted he was concerned that whilst he will be listened to during the meeting, he would "not be heard" by the developers.
"The fact is in the public meeting on Friday, I expect there are going to be hundreds of people ready to voice their opinions, and somebody will have to stand up and listen."
Farms will be 'sustainable, regenerative and enhance marine biodiversity'
In a joint statement, Biome Algae and Camel Fish, say both applications are for "sustainable, regenerative seaweed farms" which will enhance "marine biodiversity".
They added that both companies had engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, and secured regional support in the region before submitting applications to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
They also said that they placed adverts in papers and magazines, and placed a prominent public notice, as instructed by the MMO.
They've also launched a public consultation on their plans, which runs until Wednesday 13 March.