Tremerlin – Helford River

An SSSI is what it says it is – and can be on land or in the water. Just ‘google’ the acronym to find out more. An SSSI is under the aegis of a quango called Natural England – paid for by taxpayers.  You can find out more about Natural England at www.naturalengland.org.uk   (Locally, Loe Bar & Pool are an SSSI, for example).

The specific SSSI affected here in the Helford River is at Tremerlin – which is on the Helford side of the river facing the mouth of Port Navas Creek.  Tremerlin is in the constituency of Andrew George MP - Trewella, 18 Mennaye Road, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 4NG - telephone : 01736 360020

Please write, email or phone those at the top of Natural England and who are fully aware now of the situation on the Helford River:
 
Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England   helen.phillips@naturalengland.org.uk
Natural England, 1 East Parade, Sheffield, S1 2ET  - telephone : 0114 241 8920
 
Once damaged an SSSI can be ruined for ever. For that reason it is a potential criminal offence to damage an SSSI for which the offender can be prosecuted – much as for an assault or vandalising a phone box.

So – what has happened on the Helford River ?

According to a letter written by Natural England on 30 June 2008 ( click here to see full letter ) – the tenant of the Oyster Unit has placed many many metal oyster trestles on the seabed on the SSSI. The Duchy of Cornwall are aware of all this. What is the purpose of metal oyster tables ? - the production/processing of oysters. 

In this letter, Natural England wrote to the tenant of the Oyster Unit demanding the prompt and urgent removal of the oyster trestles. They had been placed without authorisation on the Tremerlin SSSI (a potential criminal offence). Natural England then backed off and extended permission until 31 December 2008. These photographs (Click here to see photograph and here to see further photograph) were taken on 27 February 2009. The trestles were clearly still there as of that date.

How did all this happen ? Well any commercial/industrial project can apply for government funding . The money comes from various sources – but ultimately it is YOUR hard earned money involved. Various government departments have provided/are providing grants to the Oyster Project. All quite legal of course. Some of the quangos/ bodies using YOUR money are slow/reluctant in providing the information. But we have been asking the question ............

We have obtained  various emails and letters involving the Oyster Processing Unit ( it is no way the Oyster Farm of old ) . Given the large amount of YOUR money involved we thought you might be interested in these emails. They show rising concern within Natural England about the handling of oyster production in the Helford River. It seems that much of this correspondence was not meant to become public.

1. Would the SSSI have been damaged ( as  claimed by Natural England) but for the amount of taxpayers’ money given to the Oyster Project ?
2. Would Port Navas Quay – once a serene and beautiful ( and a Grade II listed site) have been spoiled but for taxpayers’ money given to the Oyster Project ?

Let us know what you think - we believe in open debate about the Oyster Processing Unit. 

We have selected only a few of the letters and emails that have come our way and have highlighted the most interesting bits ! Otherwise readers will suffer overload. As you will see  – certain people do not want their behaviour exposed to public gaze. Why not – it’s YOUR hard earned money involved ?  What do YOU think having read all this ? Are you happy how YOUR money is being spent ?

Please read the normal house rules on emails ( click on to the ‘Contact Us’ section of this website) before you  email us at portnavasquay@hotmail.co.uk

Let us know what you think.  Please let Cornwall Council's Chief Executive Kevin Lavery klavery@cornwall.gov.uk and Natural England's Ms Philipps helen.philipps@naturalengland.org.uk - Chief Executive.  Natural England know too.

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(c) PRESERVE PORT NAVAS QUAY LIMITED 2009