Penzance Heliport Plans Delayed by Judicial Review

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