Robert Dorrien Smith and the team behind the proposed new
helicopter service between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland (Penzance) have
issued a press release concerning legal action by the IOS Steamship Group to overturn
the Cornwall Council planning decision that approved plans for a new Penzance
Heliport.
The press release is as follows:
The team
reinstating the helicopter link to the Isles of Scilly has reaffirmed its
commitment to the islands after a legal attack was launched to disrupt the
project.
Construction
of a replacement Penzance Heliport has been paused after the Isles of Scilly
Steamship Company – which currently holds the passenger and freight transport
monopoly to the islands – began proceedings for a judicial review.
The
process would see a judge examine the lawfulness of Cornwall Council’s
unanimous decision to grant planning permission for the project.
The move
by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company follows an anonymous attempt to get
the decision reviewed by the Secretary of State, which was thrown out.
Robert
Dorrien-Smith, who is behind the proposals to reinstate a helicopter service,
said: “This absurd move by the Steamship
Company will only ever be seen for what it is: an anti-competitive action,
dressed up in as much legal fog as they can muster.”
“This is not an attack on us; we
will persevere. This is an attack on the islands, islanders and our visitors by
a company that claims to be proud of its island heritage.
“This reckless move also threatens
to damage the reputation of the islands among Cornwall Council and other public
bodies – including government departments – on whose support the islands rely.
No doubt they will regard this petty and irresponsible move with dismay.”
Cornwall
Council’s Strategic Planning Committee gave the project the go ahead in
February following a public consultation which saw over 2,600 letters of
support from the public – the highest level of support the Council has ever
seen for a planning application.
The
project also received support from bodies including the Council of the Isles of
Scilly, the Duchy of Cornwall, Visit Cornwall, Penzance Town Council and the
islands’ destination management organisation, the Islands’ Partnership.
Mr
Dorrien-Smith continued: “The level of
support for this project is unprecedented and proves my deep conviction that a
new helicopter service is right for Scilly. I want to reaffirm to islanders,
visitors and the Steamship Company that I will stand by this conviction.”
Mr Dorrien-Smith
has contacted the Board of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company in recent
weeks in an attempt to find a way forward, including offering the Company an
opportunity to invest in the heliport.
The Isles
of Scilly Steamship Company responded with a proposal to allow the helicopter
to operate from Land’s End Airport, which it owns. After studying the proposal
in detail, Penzance Heliport Ltd concluded this would not deliver the growth
and resilience enhancements that are core aims of this project. The proposal
was also not viable for commercial reasons.
Mr
Dorrien-Smith added:
“My intention
remains to strengthen the transport system to these islands for the benefit of
all. Unfortunately the Steamship Company’s response has demonstrated they are
motivated purely by an obsessive defence of a monopoly, led by the misguided
belief that a reinstated helicopter service will be damaging to their company.
“For many years the helicopter and
other transport services to the islands worked in harmony and cooperation, and
I do not accept the Steamship Company’s view that this could not be made to
happen again.
“Ultimately we have got to put
islanders and customers first and we must try to design a transport system that
is best for everybody.”
For more information please contact Tom Matthews
tommatthews@tresco.co.uk / 01720 424114
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